Rote method killing imagination

By Liu Meng

Global Times   August 17 2010

Leading academics have called for action to deal with the lack of imagination among Chinese students, especially in the field of science.

According to an investigation by the International Assessment of Educational Progress in 21 countries last year, the mathematics ability of Chinese students ranks first in the world, but they come last for imagination and fifth bottom for creativity.

The Changjiang Daily stated that of the 20 most important inventions of the 20th century, selected by professional institutes in US, none came from the mind of a Chinese. Over 2,000 Chinese students gain doctorate degrees in the US every year, more than all other non-American students combined learning there, although American experts comment in the report that Chinese students get outstandingly high exam scores, but lack imagination.

Liu Dao Yu, the former president of Wuhan University, said the matter had become an issue of "serious concern."

Personal experience

When taking part in the 7th OVAL International Business Contest for Students last year, Zhao Ming, an international economic and trade senior at the University of International Business and Economics, Beijing, said he noticed the differences in mentality between students from China and other countries.

The event, which aims to address social problems through a business creativity competition, is a student initiated exchange program involving the top universities in China, Japan and Korea. Each team comprises three members from three countries.

"Though we are all Asians, there was a distance in creativity ability among us," Zhao told the Global Times. He said that Chinese participants are more familiar with the basic knowledge in books, while for inspiration and exploring thoughts, the Japanese and Koreans have an edge.

"I think it depends on the different education modes. Chinese education emphasizes the digestion of rigid knowledge, while Japan and Korea emphasize the cultivation of overall quality," he said.

Pilot attempt

In an effort to tackle the problem, in 2003, the modern and contemporary literature major at Beijing Normal University introduced science fiction into its prospectus. But so far, only 13 students have taken the major. Professor Wu Yan, the first person to teach science fiction to undergraduates in China, claims the genre is a key part of developing creativity among students.

"From video games to images of the future, from city layouts to comic strips, none of them break away from science fiction," Wu told the Global Times.

"Since we could not imagine how much value science fiction will bring, we are not attaching enough importance to it. But actually, it produces huge industrial value," he said.

Graduates from the science fiction literature major at the university see the benefit for their careers.

Peng Lang, now an editor at China City Press said that the major inspired her to write.

"In the long run, science fiction definitely helps improve imagination and creativity. At least it provides direction for thought," she said.

Fang Lihua, who graduated from Beijing Normal University in 2007, is a Chinese teacher at a Beijing-based primary school. She said her former professor Wu often recommended reading science fiction books and films such as 1984, Animal Farm and ET the Extra- Terrestrial.

"After reading the books, I had a new sense of the universe and humanity," she said.

Just think

Wu blames lack of imagination among Chinese students on the education system.

"Students pass exams through learning by rote," he said.

"Much of their knowledge disappears into oblivion after taking National College Entrance Exam (gaokao). With little imagination, it is hard for them to deal with society. Reading science fiction books broadens their horizons, helps them handle changes and improves their adaptability," he added.

Liu said the liberation of Chinese education should start by relaxing the mentality toward students' curiosity.

"It will be hard to abandon the gaokao now, but we could at least spread exams across the year to help increase the admission rate and loosen the direct connection between the scores and admissions," he said.

"Only when the gaokao loses its controlling position, can children win their curiosity back."

http://www.globaltimes.cn/www/english/sci-edu/china/2010-08/564622.html