Ask anyone where to find inspirational education resources online, and you may hear them mention TED Talks. These short, powerful talks are considered one of today’s most popular places to expand one’s learning on the Web, and fortunately for us, the majority of their topics are focused on education and technology — two of our favorite things!
We recently went through and pulled some inspiring TED Talks to share with you. Here’s what we found:
3 Rules to Spark Learning
After experiencing a life-threatening condition, chemistry teacher Ramsey Musallam broke out of his self-described 10 years of “pseudo-teaching” to understand the true role of the educator: to cultivate curiosity. In his fun and very personal TED talk, Musallam gives three rules to spark imagination and learning, and get students excited about how the world works.
Embrace the Near Win
While working her first museum job, art historian Sarah Lewis noticed something very important: not every artwork was a total masterpiece. In her TED Talk, she asks us to take a look at almost-failure, or the near wins, in our own lives. Is it actually our near wins that keep us pushing forward?
Teach Teachers How to Create Magic
Christopher Emdin uses examples from rap shows, barbershop banter and Sunday services to bring magic into the classroom — something he says teachers aren’t taught. It’s time to make classrooms come alive!
Kids, Take Charge
Kiran Bir Sethi demonstrates how her groundbreaking Riverside School in India teaches kids life’s most valuable lesson: “I can.” In her TED Talk, she’ll discuss how her students take local issues into their own hands, lead other young people, and even educate their own parents.
My Daughter, Malala
Pakistani educator Ziauddin Yousafzai reminds the world that women and men deserve equal opportunities for education, autonomy and an independent identity. He shares stories from his own life and the life of his daughter, Malala, who was shot by the Taliban in 2012 simply for going to school. “Why is my daughter so strong?” Yousafzai asks. “Because I didn’t clip her wings.”
There are hundreds more TED Talks that you can browse through on their website. Let us know if you come across any other inspiring talks to add to our list!
