Finally, I think my wrist is strong enough where I can get back to posting interesting tech stories from around the world and my classroom!  When I saw the announcement about TED-Ed, I knew this is one of the first postings I wanted to make.  I really enjoy TED videos.  The collection includes videos on topics I would never think of, like Jae Rhim Lee’s mushroom burial suit, or learn from Terry Moore the correct way to tie my shoes.

I like the idea of shorter videos, I like the idea of having videos that explain concepts that can be tricky to understand.  And I appreciate that TED realizes that the videos will never replace the instructor in the classroom but instead serve as a great supplement.

What I see missing is the “other stuff” that goes along with teaching.  Videos are nice, and videos can grab the attention of students.  But what about reviewing that content?  What about the critical thinking questions that should follow after the video, to encourage discussion along the higher levels of Bloom’s Taxonomic Scale?

Why not have videos that take controversial subjects head-on, like evolution, hydrofracking, nuclear power, climate change… if resources are going to be invested with snazzy graphics, then why not make TED-Ed videos on the most rigorous and challenging topics for teacher to teach that can then develop student conversation and engaging discussion?  If anyone can say, “bring it on!”, it is TED.

I guess I have to wait for more videos to appear.  Right now, I’m not seeing much I would use for introductory geoscience courses.  Yes, images of the ocean are nice, but I would love to see TED create videos that are conversation starters and a challenge for students to get their heads around, just like some of the 18-minute TED talks.

Article – Behind Today’s TED-Ed Launch (LINK)

Video – Introducing TED-Ed: Lessons Worth Sharing

On November 8, 2011, I attended my second TEDx event.  TEDxPhilly was themed around The City, bringing speakers and audience members together “to examine some of the greatest challenges, innovations and realities that shape and are shaped by cities and their inhabitants.”  The day was broken down into four sessions: Engage, Transform, Converge, and Reveal

It’s not possible to write one blog post to encompass the total impact of the event.  Sure, I could talk about awesome organizations such as Philly Youth Poetry Movement, Play On, Philly!, and Elect Next.  I could discuss inspirational artists, such as Janet Echelman and Saturn Never Sleeps.  But what is important to me is to figure out what ideas am I going to spread (“Ideas Worth Spreading” is TED – get it?).

So here are the takeaways for my future course offerings in my Earth/environmental/geography:

• Revisit the footprint from biking, walking

• Mix internal and external education (learning for self and for teaching/helping others)

• Examine the costs of having cars go through traffic lights vs. roundabouts

• As the I-95 corridor in Philly is structurally obsolete, explore what could be built

• Connect more with location information on rain gardens, green roofs, etc. (Philly Watersheds)

• Examine the connection between geographic location and quality of life

• TED videos can be great conversation starters – either in class or out of class for a discussion board

And other random bits I learned:

• You can Adopt-A-Hydrant

• I like chana masala (thanks to Operation Nice)

• There are no barriers over which to transmit knowledge (Ethan Nguyen)

• You will not die if you can your own food, and then eat it (Marisa McClellan)

• The app Angry Birds can be fit into any presentation on any topic

By the way, one of my favorite lines of the day came from the opening speech by Mayor Michael Nutter: “The voting booth is a place you want to occupy.”

I’m not sure why this article is appearing in the Journal of Sustainability Education, but for those new to TED, it is worth a read.

Who is TED, and Why Can’t I Talk for More Than 18 Minutes at a Time? (May 9, 2010)

I first learned about TED through a middle school science teacher.  He was excited to share with me how he found the lectures outstanding to use with students – the right length, and not blocked in the K-12 classroom (at least not his classroom).

TED is well aware of its role in education.  The organization has created the TED-Ed Brain Trust, “a private forum created to shape and accelerate TED’s push into the realm of Education. The aim of this community is to assemble a new archive of remarkable TED-ED videos, each designed to catalyze learning around the globe. Unlike TEDTalks, TED-ED videos are less than ten minutes long and may assume a variety of different formats.”

I’m excited.  I’m seeing more and more students arrive on campus that have heard of TED, and some have even explored and watched TED videos on their own.  I’m not sure how to measure the impact of TED videos on my students and their learning, but if it gets them engaged and talking in and out of the classroom, it can’t be a bad thing.

On Saturday, June 25, I attended (in person) my first TEDx conference.  The ISTE conference is taking place in Philadelphia this year, and and education-focused TEDx was scheduled for the day before the conference.  I applied and was one of 330 people selected to attend the TEDxPhiladelphiaED program.

To summarize… thumbs-up to the giveaway (echo smartpen) and inspiring speakers; thumbs-down to the technology failure throughout the event.

The most inspiring speakers were Barbara Chandler Allen (Fresh Artists), Matt McInnis (Inkling), Sharon Campbell (RMS Energy Star), John Hunter (World Peace Game), George Moore (Magic Wand Foundation), and Molly Milroy (Invisible Children).  What made them inspiring?  It was not necessarily use of technology but their pure passion for making a difference in the lives of students and empowering them to go on and make a difference in the lives of others.  Please visit the links to their organizations above – you will not be disappointed!

John Hunter on the World Peace Game

Oh, and let’s not forget the “youth” representation at the event.  In conjunction with TEDxPhiladelphiaED, a youth poetry contest was held, and the winners read their poems at the event.  WOW – how thoughtful and inspiring they were with words.  Hopefully, their reading of the poems will be posted online soon – such maturity and professionalism beyond their age.  And another young professional was the co-host of the event, Adora Svitak.  A video of her TED talk (yes, a 13(?)-year old giving a TED talk) was playing in pieces before TEDx began.  What I wouldn’t give to have Adora in my classroom someday!

Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids

I have left TEDxPhiladelphiaED tired, inspired, and ready to reflect upon how I can do even more to engage my students and tap their inner-passion to learn.  Barbara’s Fresh Artists has reawakened me to just how bad the budget issues are hitting Philly elementary schools (83 cents for art supplies per student per year? Really???).  Students, civic engagement, philanthropy, innovation, giving back while receiving… wow, all is possible in the classroom.  We as teachers just have to have the guts to make it happen.