8 Inspirational TED Talks About US Education

If you’re a teacher, parent, or even a student in need of some education inspiration, there’s no better resource than TED Talks. TED stands for “technology, entertainment, and design”; TED Talks are short presentations (under 18 minutes) by an expert in their field.

TED Talks can be inspirational, educational, and thought-provoking, and often introduce a new take on a well-known topic. In the field of education, there are so many amazing talks to listen to, all of which you can find for free online.

Here are some of the most inspirational TED Talks about US education that are well worth your time.

1. Why Some of Us Don’t Have One True Calling by Emilie Wapnick
For some children, the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is terrifying. How can kids know at such a young age what they want to do with life?

Author Emilie Wapnick addressed this in one of the best TED Talks about education and careers, introducing the concept that we don’t all have to have one linear goal for our career aspirations – and that’s OK.

Wapnick discusses how the world needs more innovative, creative thinkers and emphasizes that you can still thrive, even if you don’t follow a set career path. A great listen for any child or parent worried about their career goals.

2. Do Schools Kill Creativity? by Sir Ken Robinson
In one of the most popular TED Talks to date, Sir Ken Robertson gets us thinking about creativity in schools. Schools, he claims, are designed to follow a cookie-cutter mold that doesn’t place importance on creativity.

We need to change the fundamental design of our schools, Robinson says, to make creativity just as important as math and literacy. If you’re a teacher feeling frustrated by templates, standardized tests, and the one-size-fits-all approach to learning, you’ll appreciate this fantastic talk.

3. Every Kid Needs a Champion by Rita Pierson
Educator and advocate Rita Pierson delivered a powerful TED Talk about the importance of every child having an adult who supports them, stands up for them, and goes above and beyond to help them succeed in life.

It’s one of the most empowering TED Talks for educators, reminding teachers that their role is so much more than just teaching lessons – the right teacher can change a child’s life. Because traditional schools don’t always meet the needs of all students, a one-on-one connection with a teacher can be a life-changer to a young mind.

4. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Lee Duckworth
An author and academic, Duckworth’s passionate TED Talk looks at the power of hard work to achieve your goals. She argues that there’s no shortcut to success, and that showing up each day, working hard, and staying determined are characteristics found in the most successful people.

This means schools should put more emphasis on teaching perseverance and grit, rather than focusing on short-term results like tests and essays, as grit is one of the best predictors of success in life.

5. The Life-Long Learner by Bernie Dunlap
Learning doesn’t stop when formal education finishes, as life-long learners continue to enjoy learning, no matter their age. This TED Talk by Wofford College president Bernie Dunlap is powerful and moving.

Dunlop tells the story of the insights he gained from Holocaust survivor Sandor Teszler about learning throughout life. Finding enthusiasm and joy from learning can have lots of positive impacts on your life, no matter what obstacles are thrown at you.

Once you flip the concept of learning from being a chore to being something fun, it can change your outlook on life. For students who struggle with classroom learning, there’s a lot to be gained from listening to this talk.

6. Our Failing Schools. Enough is Enough! by Geoffrey Canada
Educator and activist Geoffrey Canada gets real when it comes to the state of the US educational system. He argues that our school system, as it stands now, is losing children who fall through the cracks, with formulaic education unable to process students who have the skills to go onto improve the world – leaving many students struggling to cope.

It’s one of the most passionate TED Talks about the education system in the US, forcing parents and teachers to think about hard questions such as: do our school systems need a complete overhaul for the betterment of society?

7. The One Thing All Great Teachers Do by Nick Fuhrman
Professor of Environmental Education Nick Fuhrman delivers an engaging and educational talk about his passion for animals and wildlife, fostered and encouraged from a young age by a Ranger in the Department of Natural Resources.

Fuhrman’s mentor encouraged him to follow his passions and taught him an important lesson: it’s OK to make mistakes. He argues that teachers should always celebrate mistakes, as each one is a learning opportunity.

8. Inside The Mind of a Master Procrastinator by Tim Urban
This is one of the best TED Talks for high school students, although we can all learn something from it! Almost all of us have procrastinated in some form – especially teenagers – but Tim Urban takes it even further, arguing that everyone is a procrastinator, as we feed off the instant gratification it gives us.

If we’re not taking steps to fully live the life we’ve imagined for ourselves, something is holding us back, and it’s often procrastination. This is a creative and thought-provoking talk from a renowned writer, so it's worth your time.

Once you start exploring the world of TED Talks, this list is only the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands of insightful talks not only on education, but all sorts of subjects, so parents, teachers, and students can learn plenty by checking them out.

 

 

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