Course 2 Assignment #1: How to Use Video in My Classroom
Assignment: Using TEDEd, find and evaluate a video you might be able to use with your students through a visual literacy lens. What techniques both good and bad did the presenter use? Write a blog post about how you are or how you might use video (either from TEDEd or other sources) with students in your content area. What’s the purpose of your use of video?
In my classroom, Thursday are a great day! Why, you may ask?
Ted Talk Thursday
Yes, every Thursday in a complete (five day) week, we watch a Ted Talk (usually less than ten minutes in length) and discuss our insights, fascinations, and lingering questions. Some weeks, it connects to the learning taking place at the time. Other weeks, they are seemingly random, chosen because they are fun, interesting, or inspiring. I accept suggestions from students and also spend time "researching" on my own. In the three years that I've done this, students admit that one of their favorite activities in our classroom is Ted Talk Thursday.
I believe that Ted Talk Thursday is an opportunity to learn something new while breaking out of the English routine of reading, writing, and reading some more. (Don't get me wrong - I LOVE that routine, but some students do not.) It's a chance to cultivate intellectual curiosity which, according to Fortune magazine, is one of the five skills that employers want in their employees (5 Skills Employers Want That You Won't See in a Job Ad). Plus, the discussion lowers everyone's defenses and helps to create a community feel; since it's not tied to any academic standards, everyone feels more comfortable to share their opinions without worrying about their grade.
TedEd videos are slightly different than regular Ted Talks because, in addition to their educational content, they are not recorded live but are image based. Usually, the first TedEd video I show each year is Why is Being Scared So Fun? by Margee Kerr. I show this video the week of Halloween, given the content. It explains the neuroscience behind why humans enjoy being scared. Since I hate being scared (semi-traumatic haunted house experience in 2nd grade - just ask me about it!), we reveal our fears, our past experiences, and what truly scares us. It's a community building event.
My favorite Ted Talk was recommended by a student. (Shout out to Josh K!) It's called How to Sound Smart in Your Tedx Talk by Will Stephen. I show it when we are preparing for our first professional presentation because it's a great example of how body language, the tone of voice, and actions impact a presentation. (Plus, it's hilarious!)
My purpose, as explained earlier, is to help students pursue the topics that might interest them. If it doesn't, no harm done! But, if the topic does engage the student, imagine the possibilities as they research, learn, and find a new passion!
So, until the students' tell me otherwise, we'll continue Ted Talk Thursday. If you're in the neighborhood, come on by!
In my classroom, Thursday are a great day! Why, you may ask?
Ted Talk Thursday
Yes, every Thursday in a complete (five day) week, we watch a Ted Talk (usually less than ten minutes in length) and discuss our insights, fascinations, and lingering questions. Some weeks, it connects to the learning taking place at the time. Other weeks, they are seemingly random, chosen because they are fun, interesting, or inspiring. I accept suggestions from students and also spend time "researching" on my own. In the three years that I've done this, students admit that one of their favorite activities in our classroom is Ted Talk Thursday.
I believe that Ted Talk Thursday is an opportunity to learn something new while breaking out of the English routine of reading, writing, and reading some more. (Don't get me wrong - I LOVE that routine, but some students do not.) It's a chance to cultivate intellectual curiosity which, according to Fortune magazine, is one of the five skills that employers want in their employees (5 Skills Employers Want That You Won't See in a Job Ad). Plus, the discussion lowers everyone's defenses and helps to create a community feel; since it's not tied to any academic standards, everyone feels more comfortable to share their opinions without worrying about their grade.
TedEd videos are slightly different than regular Ted Talks because, in addition to their educational content, they are not recorded live but are image based. Usually, the first TedEd video I show each year is Why is Being Scared So Fun? by Margee Kerr. I show this video the week of Halloween, given the content. It explains the neuroscience behind why humans enjoy being scared. Since I hate being scared (semi-traumatic haunted house experience in 2nd grade - just ask me about it!), we reveal our fears, our past experiences, and what truly scares us. It's a community building event.
My favorite Ted Talk was recommended by a student. (Shout out to Josh K!) It's called How to Sound Smart in Your Tedx Talk by Will Stephen. I show it when we are preparing for our first professional presentation because it's a great example of how body language, the tone of voice, and actions impact a presentation. (Plus, it's hilarious!)
My purpose, as explained earlier, is to help students pursue the topics that might interest them. If it doesn't, no harm done! But, if the topic does engage the student, imagine the possibilities as they research, learn, and find a new passion!
So, until the students' tell me otherwise, we'll continue Ted Talk Thursday. If you're in the neighborhood, come on by!
I think this is one more bullet hole in the "content monster." I love it.
ReplyDeleteIf you can find something that interests them, they might inadvertently learn something along the way, and I think that kind of learning is more likely to stick in their little noodles much longer than when we try to beat it into their brains while their gloves are up.
Are they buying into Ted Talk Thursday? And if so, are they more likely to buy in at other times during the week?