27 APR 2016

5 TED Talks on How to Inspire Your Students

With the Easter Holiday now behind us and exam season looming large on the horizon, we thought you may appreciate a little pick me up post, full of ideas to inspire yourself and your students.

With the Easter Holiday now behind us and exam season looming large on the horizon, we thought you may appreciate a little pick me up post, full of ideas to inspire yourself and your students. We've gathered together some of the most interesting and uplifting TED Talks for teachers that are sure to leave you smiling.  

1. Every kid needs a champion

We're starting off with a wonderfully witty and uplifting talk from Rita Pierson. A teacher for 40 years, Rita knows that all children, despite their background, need someone to believe in them. In addition to having their educators believe in them, Rita demonstrates the importance of actually connecting with your students on a real, human, personal level. Her talk is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face while providing great ideas on little things you can do and say to boost the confidence and potential of your students.

2. Teach teachers how to create magic

Next up we have an eye-opening talk from Christopher Emdin on the importance of capturing the attention of your students. He believes we can teach teachers the skills they need to enthrall and teach at the same time, so they can hold their audience's attention just like performance artists and gospel priests, and succeed in getting their message across.  

3. Hey science teachers -- make it fun

We love this talk by high school science teacher Tyler DeWitt. He demonstrates how it is simply ineffective to teach science using the sector's technical jargon and emphasis on extreme precision, pointing out that if students can't understand the textbook, they're going to switch off.  Tyler delivers a rousing call for science teachers to instead bring science to life and make it sing through stories and demonstrations.

4. 3 rules to spark learning

It took a life-threatening condition to jolt chemistry teacher Ramsey Musallam out of ten years of "pseudo-teaching" to understand the true role of the educator: to cultivate curiosity. In a fun and personal talk, Musallam gives 3 rules to spark imagination and learning and get students excited about how the world works.

5. A teacher growing green in the South Bronx

This one hasn't got as a lesson you can apply straight to the classroom, but it's certainly inspirational and sure to leave you feeling happy and energised. Stephen Ritz, a teacher in New York's tough South Bronx, has spent the last few years focussing on growing lush gardens with his pupils for food, greenery, and even jobs.  

Where do you find inspiration?

Have you got a go-to resource for teaching inspiration? Let us know in the comments!