There are a lot of great educational videos out there. One of the best lists, that I go back to time and again, was built by Alec Couros and it evolved from a blog post to a wiki page: 90+ Videos for Tech. & Media Literacy.
There… is… a… lot… out… there!
As a result, I think some real gems are being missed. Here are 5 Educational TEDx Videos that I think deserve to be paid attention to:
Kim Cofino: Mobile, Connected, Collaborative
Watch it with a group and then either tackle one of the ideas together or break into smaller groups and tackle them all. Kim took the best part of her K12 Online Conference Keynote and delivered it as its’ own presentation. If you don’t think education is changing, you haven’t seen Kim’s insights yet! [Watch on YouTube]
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Diana Laufenberg: How to learn? From mistakes
Diana works at SLA and she brings her curriculum to life! “It was theirs, it was experiential, it meant something to them.” ~ That’s one of many great quotes from this talk that looks at both students and teachers learning from their mistakes in meaningful ways. [Watch on YouTube]
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Kiran Bir Sethi teaches kids to take charge
Kiran, Director of School Riverside, eloquently delivers this message: “If learning is embedded in a real-world context.. then children go through a journey of ‘aware’, where they can see the change; ‘enable’, be changed; and then ’empower’, lead the change.” ~Wonderful! [Watch on YouTube]
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Chris Kennedy – Students Live! Real-world Learning at the 2010 Olympic/Paralympic Games
These student reporters had full access to the games and they delivered real-time news and special interest stories. Chris‘ story is about, “…real world learning, supported by technology, but it was not about the technology at all.” [Watch on YouTube]
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Dan Meyer – Math Curriculum Makeover
Although Dan‘s talk has been viewed far more than the other talks above, I think it has probably made it around Math circles when actually it has wonderful implications for all educators. His 5 suggestions transcend all subject areas! [Watch on YouTube]
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Watch them on your own or as staff… the conversations you have will be rich and rewarding.
Bonus
Sometimes there just isn’t enough time in a meeting for a 10 to 18 minute video. I put together this 3-Minute Conversation Starter: Let’s Transform Education that I think can do just that… start a conversation about education today. The video is comprised of clips of other videos and both the above YouTube version and my blog post have links to the videos I used clips from, (including 2 of the Tedx videos I share above).
Know of another great must-see video? Please share a link! 🙂
Well, I may be prejudiced, being a fan and all, but I really like this TEDx Honolulu Presentation. You should invite them back for another presentation on some other topic.
Official TEDX Hawaii, Nov 2011:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44jxjM_7jnY
And for those who want to watch all the videos, go here:
Their YouTube home page is:
http://www.youtube.com/user/historyteachers
And their own website, for access to the lyrics, is here:
http://www.historyteacherz.com/
Pete Laberge, Ontario, Canada
Hi Pete,
Nothing wrong with a little shameless plug:)
I have seen your videos on the Chinese Dynasties (“Vogue” by Madonna, and a few others, and like what you are doing… Great stuff!
Sir! PLEASE let me make one important correction:
The videos are NOT mine, Dave.
They are the exclusive production and hard work of:
Mrs. Amy V. Burvall & Mr. Herb Mahelona
and a couple of friends they use as guest stars for vocals or cameo appearances). The “History Teacherz” are based in Hawaii. Mr. Mahelona is an accomplished musician, composer, arranger, musical director, etc…. outside these videos. Google him, and see. Mrs. Burvall has too many teaching credentials to note here.
I am merely a FAN, who, admittedly, does like to plug their work a lot. I like their work, the videos are fun to listen to, educational, and calming. I find them very therapeutic.
I am un-ashamedly trying to encourage them to make more such videos. (I am told they have a number of them under edit! I can hardly wait! I have listened to some of the song teasers!)
Kindly note: Their recording and editing process is not some quick little 10 minute thing. From what I have learned, it takes MANY MANY HOURS of work. And while they may not write the music tunes, they write or re-write most of the lyrics.
I, and a few others, are very grateful for these videos.
To WIT:
A significant number of young students have had their desire to stay in school, or their courses saved by these videos.
A number of teachers use them either as course summaries, or as unit introductions. They are a great launching point to go on to more serious study. Because they are mnemonic, they help a lot with retaining facts or knowledge. But then wasn’t our earliest history all either tales or sung stories?
Their videos have been used in grade schools, high schools, colleges and universities. A number of their fans are graduated adults who merely love to watch or listen to their videos/music.
In fact, you could say, that their videos have saved a few lives, with Mrs.B’s incredible voice, facial expressions, and hand gestures… not to mention the great lyrics and Mr.H’s very brilliant hard work doing the editing and putting in all those wonderful backgrounds and animations.
If you wanted to interview someone fantastic, they would be a good pair to talk to. But I (sadly for me) had nothing to do with their video productions. Nor would I ever steal anything, nor any credit from them. I can think of no greater crime. And, I could think of no greater honour, than if in some small tiny way, in the future, I ever got to collaborate with them, or merely just to meet them….
But I will shamelessly promote, plug, and ever so gratefully spread the word of their efforts. And yes, I have thanked them several times for the greatness they have done. (Which they most generously give away for free! I can think of several so-called artists who could take a lesson from them!) I wish them MANY decades more of collaboration. They are sorely needed in this world.
Should you wish to contact them, send me a private email, where I can send you a private response, and I will gladly assist, in any small way I can. I have also a small amount of background info on them, which I would gladly send to you, so that if you decide to contact them, you are well prepared.
But let me state again: I can take NO credit at all for their marvelous work, and I apologize profusely to you, sir, and to them (I am VERY sorry Teachers!), for any possible misunderstanding my earlier message to you may have caused. Their work is unique. There are other teachers who sing, or lecture, yes, but they are unique in their style and pizzaz!.
I am merely a humble fan of B&H. Infinitely grateful for their work. And no, I am not a kid. Nor a high-school student. I am a 56 year old man, a “student of the universe”.
Sincerely,
Pete Laberge
See also: Mr. Edmons @ http://www.youtube.com/user/dsecms
(He has not been invited to ant TED or TEDx’s yet. He should be! His songs deal with science and math.)
See also: Mr. Hughes @ http://www.youtube.com/user/hughesDV
(He has not been to any TED or TEDx’s yet. He should be! He has an amazing set of short 10 minute history lectures.)
*end*
My apologies Pete,
I misinterpreted your use of the phrase ‘I may be prejudiced’ to suggest personal involvement rather than just interest. My error completely!
Thank you for the clarification. Again, I agree that they really do great work. And, having edited some videos myself, I’m completely aware of the hours it takes… and none of my videos are as polished as theirs! (I’m datruss on YouTube.)
Thank you so much for your comments, I truly appreciate the time you’ve taken to engage.
Dave
As a person who hated math as a student, I was intrigued by the Math Curriculum video.