ted talk on homework

Is Homework Good for Kids? Here’s What the Research Says

A s kids return to school, debate is heating up once again over how they should spend their time after they leave the classroom for the day.

The no-homework policy of a second-grade teacher in Texas went viral last week , earning praise from parents across the country who lament the heavy workload often assigned to young students. Brandy Young told parents she would not formally assign any homework this year, asking students instead to eat dinner with their families, play outside and go to bed early.

But the question of how much work children should be doing outside of school remains controversial, and plenty of parents take issue with no-homework policies, worried their kids are losing a potential academic advantage. Here’s what you need to know:

For decades, the homework standard has been a “10-minute rule,” which recommends a daily maximum of 10 minutes of homework per grade level. Second graders, for example, should do about 20 minutes of homework each night. High school seniors should complete about two hours of homework each night. The National PTA and the National Education Association both support that guideline.

But some schools have begun to give their youngest students a break. A Massachusetts elementary school has announced a no-homework pilot program for the coming school year, lengthening the school day by two hours to provide more in-class instruction. “We really want kids to go home at 4 o’clock, tired. We want their brain to be tired,” Kelly Elementary School Principal Jackie Glasheen said in an interview with a local TV station . “We want them to enjoy their families. We want them to go to soccer practice or football practice, and we want them to go to bed. And that’s it.”

A New York City public elementary school implemented a similar policy last year, eliminating traditional homework assignments in favor of family time. The change was quickly met with outrage from some parents, though it earned support from other education leaders.

New solutions and approaches to homework differ by community, and these local debates are complicated by the fact that even education experts disagree about what’s best for kids.

The research

The most comprehensive research on homework to date comes from a 2006 meta-analysis by Duke University psychology professor Harris Cooper, who found evidence of a positive correlation between homework and student achievement, meaning students who did homework performed better in school. The correlation was stronger for older students—in seventh through 12th grade—than for those in younger grades, for whom there was a weak relationship between homework and performance.

Cooper’s analysis focused on how homework impacts academic achievement—test scores, for example. His report noted that homework is also thought to improve study habits, attitudes toward school, self-discipline, inquisitiveness and independent problem solving skills. On the other hand, some studies he examined showed that homework can cause physical and emotional fatigue, fuel negative attitudes about learning and limit leisure time for children. At the end of his analysis, Cooper recommended further study of such potential effects of homework.

Despite the weak correlation between homework and performance for young children, Cooper argues that a small amount of homework is useful for all students. Second-graders should not be doing two hours of homework each night, he said, but they also shouldn’t be doing no homework.

Not all education experts agree entirely with Cooper’s assessment.

Cathy Vatterott, an education professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, supports the “10-minute rule” as a maximum, but she thinks there is not sufficient proof that homework is helpful for students in elementary school.

“Correlation is not causation,” she said. “Does homework cause achievement, or do high achievers do more homework?”

Vatterott, the author of Rethinking Homework: Best Practices That Support Diverse Needs , thinks there should be more emphasis on improving the quality of homework tasks, and she supports efforts to eliminate homework for younger kids.

“I have no concerns about students not starting homework until fourth grade or fifth grade,” she said, noting that while the debate over homework will undoubtedly continue, she has noticed a trend toward limiting, if not eliminating, homework in elementary school.

The issue has been debated for decades. A TIME cover in 1999 read: “Too much homework! How it’s hurting our kids, and what parents should do about it.” The accompanying story noted that the launch of Sputnik in 1957 led to a push for better math and science education in the U.S. The ensuing pressure to be competitive on a global scale, plus the increasingly demanding college admissions process, fueled the practice of assigning homework.

“The complaints are cyclical, and we’re in the part of the cycle now where the concern is for too much,” Cooper said. “You can go back to the 1970s, when you’ll find there were concerns that there was too little, when we were concerned about our global competitiveness.”

Cooper acknowledged that some students really are bringing home too much homework, and their parents are right to be concerned.

“A good way to think about homework is the way you think about medications or dietary supplements,” he said. “If you take too little, they’ll have no effect. If you take too much, they can kill you. If you take the right amount, you’ll get better.”

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How teachers can best use TED Talks in class, from the perspective of a student

What happens when a teacher mixes Madame Bovary and a TED Talk? Good things, actually. Photo: iStockphoto

My high school English class had just finished reading Madame Bovary , and we were all confused. (For those of you who have not read it, please skip to paragraph two. Spoiler alert!) Emma Bovary, a listless housewife in search of the passionate love she’s read about in books, has many sordid affairs, falls deeply into debt and kills herself by swallowing arsenic, and her ever-faithful and terribly dull husband Charles dies a while later of a broken heart, and their daughter, upon finding her father dead, is sent to work in a cotton mill. We were all baffled and upset by the end of this intense, complicated novel. When we arrived in class the next day, our teacher asked us the question: “What can we learn about real love from Madame Bovary ?” and no one knew what to say.

That night for homework, our only assignment was to watch a TED Talk: “ Why we love, why we cheat ” by anthropologist Helen Fisher. In the talk, Fisher explained her work: “My colleagues and I took 32 people who were madly in love and put them into a functional MRI brain scanner.” I knew that Helen Fisher was taking a very different approach to understanding love from Gustave Flaubert. So why was I reading Flaubert and watching her talk, one after the other?

I didn’t realize what my teacher was doing until class discussion the next day. We shuffled in, pulled our desks into a circle, took our copies of Madame Bovary out of our bags and looked around at each other.

“So,” my teacher said, “if Gustave Flaubert and Helen Fisher were having a conversation about love, what would they say to one another? What would you say to them?”

There was a pause, and then: “I mean, the thing about love being a drug, like cocaine, seems like Emma felt love like that?”

“But then what about Charles? Was he in love?”

“Well he wasn’t intense, and he wasn’t possessive. Maybe he wasn’t in love?”

“He died for love.”

“Did he die for love or for heartbreak?”

“What’s the difference?”

The discussion continued, back and forth.

What my English teacher did that day showed me the value of TED Talks in the classroom: school is all about ideas, and TED can help teachers bring ideas into conversation and debate. TED Talks aren’t like Wikipedia articles—yes, they contain information, but at their best, they actually spark a conversation. They can be used to bring diverse voices, questions, and even conflict into classroom discussions—as Helen Fisher’s did for my English class. Physics classes can start to think about just how non-linear physics really is with Boaz Almog’s demonstration of quantum superconductors , history classes can think about Yoruba Richen’s talk and wonder about how rights movements work, students can even question the school system they are a part of with Ken Robinson’s talk on how schools creativity.

I graduated from high school in May. (I’ve spent the summer before college interning with the lovely editorial department at TED.) Throughout my high school career, I’ve seen teachers use TED Talks often—sometimes very well, and sometimes in ways I didn’t find as effective. I recently got in touch with a former teacher from my school, Suzanne Fogarty (now the director of the Lincoln School in Providence, Rhode Island), who showed Chimamanda Adichie’s TED Talk, “ The danger of a single story ,” in an assembly. Afterward, Adichie’s talk popped up in lectures, lunchtime discussions, even in the hallways between classes. Her ideas had entered the vocabulary of the school. Everyone was thinking about the “single story.”

I wanted to find out why Ms. Fogarty chose to use TED in her curriculum. When I asked, she responded, “TED Talks make us pause and listen to the percolation of ideas—art, engineering, technology, the humanities, spoken word and more.”

Her comment clarified something for me. The best use of TED Talks in the classroom really do take advantage of that “percolation of ideas.” Talks work best when teachers use them to give perspective and to generate discussion around difficult topics.

But how exactly do you do this? Stephanie Lo, Director of TED-Ed Programs, advises teachers to use TED videos as a way to get students thinking. She recommends that teachers check out Ed.TED.com , which is packed full of short, animated lessons created specifically for students. (When searching, teachers can filter by student age—there are talks for elementary school students , middle school students , high school students and college students .) And she recommends that, whether they’re using a lesson or a talk, teachers prepare discussion questions to get students thinking before they get to class.

Fogarty echoes the sentiment. “I like having some essential questions to accompany the talk,” she told me, “or asking students to research TED Talks that carry meaning for their generation.”

These conversations helped me see what can really happen when TED Talks are brought into the classroom. Students can better grasp topics they might not fully understand at first glance, think critically about how they think about the world, and discuss other big ideas alongside their own. Gustave Flaubert can have a conversation with Helen Fisher about the meaning of love. And that is pretty cool.

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Eight ted talks college students should really watch.

To say that college can be difficult and overwhelming would be an understatement. We’ve all got way too much stress, whether it’s over homework, your social life, your future career or any one of a thousand different obstacles college students can face. But you’re not alone in this. In fact, some experts from TED Talks have found ways to deal with these sorts of quintessential college problems, and they have lots of advice for the wayward student .

For the Anxious and Stressed

She gives some excellent advice to deal with this: Practice under the same conditions that you have to perform in. For test-takers, practice those complicated math problems under a time constraint. Rehearse a big speech in front of others. Do what it takes to get used to the pressure so that you don’t choke when all eyes are on you. Keep this in mind when preparing for your next big stress-filled event, and you’ll nail it.

If practicing for pressure isn’t enough, try taking a look at this TED talk by Kelly McGonigal, “ How to make stress your friend .” McGonigal, a health psychologist, shares this fascinating study that found a correlation between believing that stress is harmful to your health and an increased risk of dying. It turns out that viewing your response to stress — faster heartbeats, sweating, rapid breathing — is your body preparing for a challenge and getting ready to work. This idea about stress being helpful actually makes you more confident and less anxious. So, test-takers, know that your stress can help you ace that exam — if you let it.

For the Directionless and Unsure

There’s something else you need, though, if you want to take your ambition and make it a reality. Angela Lee Duckworth explains it perfectly in her talk “ Grit: the power of passion and perseverance .” Your education, as it turns out, is not based solely on your IQ or your standardized test scores. Instead, the most important piece of the equation in getting where you want to go in life is hard work and perseverance. Those who have grit and are willing to work hard to achieve long-term goals are the ones who were successful in life, not those who are super smart or very socially adept. So, college students, don’t give up when it gets hard, because the end results will be worth it.

For the Passionate But Insecure

For a lot of college students, it’s hard to figure out how to actually make a difference and do something with all their passion and energy. Natalie Warne talks about this in “ Being young and making an impact .” Warne talks about the “Anonymous Extraordinaries,” people who work not for recognition or fame, but because they believe in what they’re doing and want to make a difference in their own lives and others. And it’s not about what you’re doing, it’s about having passion for what you’re doing. Warne tells an incredible story in her TED talk , but the point she really drives home is that caring about fame and popularity and what other people think about you is not what is going to change the world or fulfill you. It’s finding what you love and chasing after it.

For Everyone

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45 TED Talks That Will Intrigue, Encourage, and Inspire Your Students

Amazing speakers on fascinating topics.

By now, you probably know about TED , a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing important ideas through brief, impactful talks. TED Talks can be an amazing classroom resource that sparks meaningful conversations. (Their TED-Ed videos are especially valuable, since they include complete lesson plans for teachers.) We’ve rounded up some of our favorite TED Talks students will really enjoy. You’ll find options here for every age and interest.

STEM TED Talks for Students

History and culture ted talks for students, inspirational ted talks for students.

These videos include Ted Talks students can learn from, in ways that will truly engage them. See hands-on science in action, and explore topics in a way kids can easily understand.

Emma Bryce: What really happens to the plastic you throw away? (3:53)

Plastic bottles are everywhere these days. In this video, you’ll follow the life cycles of three different bottles. Each journey teaches us something about how plastics affect the environment.

Angela Koine Flynn: The science of skin color  (4:39)

Why do some people tan (or burn) so fast while others can sit in the sun for hours? How did our skin develop so many different hues to begin with? Find out, then follow up with The Beauty of Human Skin in Every Color !

Anita Collins: How playing an instrument benefits your brain  (4:30)

When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout.

Myriam Sidibe: The simple power of hand-washing (11:32)

This talk begins with some sobering statistics: 6.6 million children worldwide don’t make it to their fifth birthday. But Myriam Sidibe reveals the simplest of solutions that may reverse the trends—a bar of soap.

Beau Lotto and Amy O’Toole: Science is for everyone, kids included (15:10)

Neuroscientist Beau Lotto shares the parallels between science and play with the help of 25 elementary-age children.

Eva-Maria Geigl: The history of the world according to cats (4:21)

Long ago, wild cats were fierce hunters. Over the centuries, they’ve become the house pets we now know and love. Learn how our furry friends came to be in this fun video.

Kelli Sandman-Hurley: What is dyslexia? (4:20)

There’s probably at least one student in your classroom with dyslexia. Learn how it affects learning and why we should celebrate neurodiversity.

Arthur Benjamin: Mathemagic (15:02)

Art Benjamin combines his two loves, math and magic! Watch him perform three-digit multiplication in his head faster than his helpers using a calculator.

AnnMarie Thomas: Hands-on science with squishy circuits (3:52)

Kids will love learning how to create circuits using two different kinds of homemade play dough. Don’t be surprised when they want to try it for themselves.

Jack Andraka: A promising test for pancreatic cancer … from a teenager (10:36)

Jack developed an inexpensive, effective, and non-invasive test for pancreatic cancer. Oh, and he did it all before his 16th birthday!

Claire Simeone: The lovable (and lethal) sea lion (4:37)

Go for a swim with one of the ocean’s coolest creatures, the sea lion. They can hunt for up to 30 hours at a time and reach speeds of 18 mph. Amazing!

Thomas Suarez: 12-year-old app developer (4:24)

“Where do you go to find out how to make an app?” Thomas was 12 when he asked this question. He taught himself to build apps and wants to inspire other kids to do the same.

Daphne Bavelier: Your brain on video games (17:45)

Kids are often told video games are “bad” for them. Brain scientist Daphne Bavelier challenges that notion. She believes that playing video games in “reasonable doses” can actually have lots of positive effects on our brain. Bavelier shares how she and other scientists are using their research to help others.

William Kamkwamba: How I built a windmill (3:59)

At age 14, a Malawian boy named William Kamkwamba sought a way to help his village combat famine. Ultimately, he built a wind turbine entirely out of spare parts and scrapyard materials. Next, learn how it changed his life in How I Harnessed the Wind .

Terry Moore: How to tie your shoes (2:43)

Terry Moore believes that most of us are tying our shoes incorrectly. Surprisingly enough, he’s probably right. In this informative TED Talk, Moore demonstrates how to tie a stronger knot that won’t let us down. As Moore notes, sometimes small advantages can yield big results.

Joe Smith: How to use a paper towel (4:15)

Joe Smith is on a mission to save paper by teaching us the correct way to use a paper towel. Spoiler alert: We’re doing it wrong and creating a lot of waste in the process.

John Green: The nerd’s guide to learning everything online (18:01)

John Green talks about the importance of the internet and why it makes learning more awesome. He demonstrates how platforms like YouTube can help build engaging communities of learning and discovery.

Explore topics from history and the arts and make connections with people around the world.

Soraya Field Fiorio: Who was the world’s first author? (4:55)

Would you have guessed that the world’s first known author was a woman? Find out about her life and writings, dating back 4,300 years.

Iseult Gillespie: How to see more and care less: The art of Georgia O’Keeffe (5:00)

Artist Georgia O’Keeffe was inspired by the shapes and rhythms of nature. Her unique way of looking at the world gave rise to American Modernism.

Brian A. Pavlac: Ugly History: Witch Hunts (5:25)

For much of human history, people believed witches were real—and evil. They hunted the suspected witches, put them on “trial,” and tortured them, often to death. Take a closer look at this difficult chapter of our past and how it came to be.

Diane J. Rayor: Ancient Greece’s greatest popstar (5:25)

Kids who love Beyoncé or Adele will love learning about Sappho, one of ancient Greece’s most famous poets. She coined the word “bittersweet” to describe the ups and downs of romance. Her writings made her a superstar of her day!

Kayla Wolf: Why every world map is wrong (4:57)

It’s simply impossible to make a map of the spherical world that’s accurate. So why do we keep using them? And how can we change them to shift our point of view? Find out in this intriguing video.

Ann-Helén Bay: Why is it so hard to escape poverty? (4:45)

Many people believe that if you work hard enough, you’ll automatically succeed. But poverty is a trap that frequently pulls people back down, no matter how hard they try. Why should that be, and how can we overcome it?

Danielle Feinberg: The magic ingredient that brings Pixar movies to life (11:55)

Go behind the scenes with Danielle Feinberg, Pixar’s director of photography. See what happens when science and art collide to create Pixar’s incredible three-dimensional worlds.

Kevin Allocca: Why videos go viral (7:04)

Only a tiny percentage of online videos go viral. But when they do, they become part of a cultural phenomenon that fascinates and mystifies us. Kevin Allocca shares the secret ingredients that contribute to a video’s viral success.

Jamila Lyiscott: 3 ways to speak English (4:16)

In this powerful spoken-word performance, Lyiscott challenges the standard notion of what it means to be “articulate” in today’s society. She shares her experience navigating three distinct English dialects at home, at school, and with friends.

Doug Levinson: What gives a dollar bill its value? (3:26)

Ever wonder how inflation works or what determines the value of a buck? Join the workers of the Federal Reserve and learn how it all works.

The LXD: In the Internet age, dance evolves (17:13)

The LXD (Legion of Extraordinary Dancers) believes that dance can have a transformative effect on the world. Their stunning street dance performance makes for a TED Talk video students will want to watch again and again. Fans of Glee and So You Think You Can Dance may see some familiar faces.

Mac Barnett: Why a good book is a secret door (16:51)

Everyone needs a little whimsy in their lives. Children’s writer Mac Barnett shares the power of imagination in this playful talk. He introduces us to Nico, an imaginative child who brings Barnett’s message to life.

Tavi Gevinson: A teen just trying to figure it out (7:14)

Tavi Gevinson noticed that women, particularly young girls, were often misrepresented in popular media. In response, she created a web magazine where teenagers can share stories, ask questions, and “figure it out” together.

Encourage kids to ask more questions and seek out the best the world has to offer with these TED Talks.

Matthew Winkler: What makes a hero? (4:30)

What trials unite Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins, and more of literature’s most interesting heroes? And what do ordinary people have in common with these literary heroes?

Manoush Zomorodi: How boredom can lead to your most brilliant ideas (16:04)

Believe it or not, boredom can actually result in your most creative accomplishments. Zomorodi explains that when your body is on autopilot, your brain gets busy!

Clint Smith: The danger of silence (4:09)

“Read critically. Write consciously. Speak clearly. Tell your truth.” Teacher Clint Smith explains the relationship between silence and discrimination.

Derek Sivers: How to start a movement (2:53)

How do movements gain traction? According to Derek Sivers, it’s different than you might think. In less than three minutes, Sivers takes us step-by-step through a movement forming in real time. He shares the lessons we can learn from those who have the courage to follow.

Angela Lee Duckworth: Grit: The power of passion and perseverance (5:54)

Angela Lee Duckworth is a public school teacher turned psychologist. Her research indicates success and IQ are not as interconnected as many might think. In this motivational talk, she reinforces the importance of building grit in ourselves and our students.

George Takei: Why I love a country that once betrayed me (15:45)

Explore patriotism and social justice with this engaging talk by actor and activist George Takei. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, young George and his family were forcibly relocated to a Japanese American internment camp. He shares how his father helped him reconcile this experience with the core ideal of American democracy.

Christian Picciolini: My descent into America’s neo-Nazi movement—and how I got out (20:10)

In this courageous talk, Christian Picciolini shares his personal journey of overcoming prejudice and hate. A former neo-Nazi, Picciolini now dedicates his time to helping others combat violent extremism in their own lives. He notes that these movements often target the young, vulnerable, and marginalized—like he once was. (Mature content and drug references.)

Tim Urban: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator (13:55)

Procrastinators, unite! In this relatable TED Talk, Tim Urban offers hilarious insight into the mind of a procrastinator. Kids will find the “instant gratification monkey” both funny and relatable.

Susan Cain: The power of introverts (18:48)

Author Susan Cain argues for the importance of introverts in a world that seems to favor the opposite. She explains why solitude matters, as well as how it contributes to creativity and leadership.

Shane Koyczan: To This Day … for the bullied and beautiful (11:47)

In this powerful video, Koyczan shares his viral spoken-word poem about bullying and survival. This beautiful talk is a must-see for anyone who has ever felt life’s uncertainty, loneliness, or frustration. (Mature content and language.)

Joachim de Posada: Don’t eat the marshmallow! (5:46)

Joachim de Posada explains the value of self-discipline, demonstrated by a famous experiment. Students will laugh at little ones trying hard not to eat a marshmallow. But there’s a lot to learn here too.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka: Why lunch ladies are heroes (5:12)

Children’s author Jarrett J. Krosoczka illustrates the power of a simple thank-you in this talk. He encourages us to celebrate our cafeteria staff and the important work they do throughout the year.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story (18:33)

Stories matter. In this eye-opening talk, novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explains how power shapes the stories we hear and tell others. She warns against the danger of a single story. They can be incomplete and even offer harmful understandings of others based on a single narrative or experience. Adichie raises important questions that can encourage students to explore concepts of identity and perspective.

Drew Dudley: Everyday leadership (6:01)

In this inspiring talk, Drew Dudley explains how small acts of kindness can transform the lives of others. He believes leadership isn’t about changing the world but about changing each other’s understanding of the world.

Amy Cuddy: Your body language may shape who you are (20:46)

Cuddy explains how our body language shapes how others see us—and how we see ourselves. Learn how “power posing” can help us feel more confident.

What are your favorite TED Talks students will want to watch? Come and share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out 12 must-see ted talks for teachers ..

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5 TED Talks That Will Inspire Your Child to Do Homework

Author: Michael

Date: apr 12, 2018 | grammar.

Guest post written by Dom Gibson  on April 12, 2018 

The famed TED conference produces talks every year that inspire, entertain, amuse, provoke and encourage. There is now such a gigantic TED library that you can find hours of speeches dedicated to a wealth of topics, many tackling current education trends and the established forms of teachings, as well as its challenges.

One challenge that stands the test of time will come as no surprise to parents and teachers – the mission of encouraging consistent completion of homework. Homework is a divisive issue, with some schools in recent years, choosing to abolish it completely. However, not all students are quite so blessed, here are some inspiring TED talks that tackle the concept of homework head on and make a strong case for putting effort into its completion (some links open in YouTube).

1. The Power of a 5 th Grade Homework Assignment – Shelly Anne Rosen A particularly unusual case, but definitely a case study worth considering! While helping her son with a homework assignment in 2005, Shelley learned about a topic which she hadn’t previously engaged with; the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The subject resonated with her when she saw a parallel to the Holocaust, and she was drawn into learning more about the event. Her pursuits took her down a path that has led to meeting and marrying a Rwandan man, opening a tour company with her husband, and becoming a volunteer with Seattle’s Holocaust Centre for Humanity. It seems like an interesting anecdote on the surface, but this story speaks volumes about the important lesson of seeking out knowledge that homework instils. Learning shouldn’t stop at school – the quest for information can drive you to a richer life and a healthy, inquisitive mind! Your passion could just be waiting to be discovered.

2.  This Company Pays Students to do Their Homework – Mohamad Jebara Don’t go into this video expecting the moral to be ‘pay kids to do stuff!’ – not entirely, at least. Mohamad goes into some interesting findings from studies carried out with students of varying ages and talks about interesting concepts such as students’ “attention budgets” in today’s “attention economy”, noting the competing demands on children’s concentration such as Facebook, gaming consoles and apps. According to further findings, it is far more effective to reward input, such as greater levels of effort, than it is to reward output such as higher test scores. Additionally, younger students can be persuaded with a trophy, but for older students, cash was the way forward.

3.  Why We Procrastinate – Vik Nithy A scientific yet simplified look into the reasons why sometimes, we just can’t muster up the energy to try, and our distractions end up winning. Vik Nithy, himself founded three companies by the age of 20, despite a diagnosis of ADHD impacting his ability to concentrate.

4.  How to Triple Your Memory – Richard Lieuw On This is a particularly useful talk for students who struggle with retention of information, and as such don’t see a point doing homework. Richard shows you a simple but deep trick that can be improvised for any topic and can even help flex those creative muscles as you commit more to memory than standard repetition can often achieve. For those who feel like trying to memorize information is pointless, should watch this video and try to play along with the exercises. You may find the results surprising and perhaps your student might be more eager to try a new trick or two that will help them to improve their memory performance.

5.  What Do Top Students Do Differently? – Douglas Barton This talk addresses the truth behind the students who preform best when it comes to marks and grades. It breaks down and dispels the myth that the top students are ‘just better’, and that they aren’t equipped with a superior IQ that catapults them ahead of their peers. To become better student, as Douglas explains, is just about hard work, so that you’re actually learning something and not just jumping through set hoops.

So, if you’re struggling to get your child to comply with their homework, maybe it’s worth sitting and watching one of these inspiring TED talks with them.

Do you have a favorite TED talk that inspires or motivates you to work? Or have you found a genius way to encourage your child to do their homework with enthusiasm? Talk to me about it in the comments!

About the Author Dom Gibson is the educational content editor at Tutorful, the UK’s fastest growing provider of tutoring services in English and English Literature . He works with expert educators to find the most innovative educational resources, and then shares them with amazing educational sites. 

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Class Tech Tips: 25 Reasons to Use TED-Ed in Your Classroom

The folks at TED also have a platform for students and teachers. It’s called TED-Ed, and you’ll find lots of short videos, resources and discussion questions for your classroom.

How do roller coasters affect your body? Why don’t poisonous animals poison themselves? These are the type of questions tackled with the amazing TED-Ed videos for students and teachers!

If you’ve ever watched a TED talk before you’re familiar with the power of those short videos, focused on a single idea. An expert walks to the center of a stage and uses stories and visuals to explain a concept or share a message. Well the folks at TED also have a platform for students and teachers. It’s called TED-Ed , and you’ll find lots of short videos, resources and discussion questions for your classroom.

Reading, Viewing and Listening

This year I’ve led lots of workshops and sessions on the topic of “tasks before apps.” Although these presentations focus on creation in the classroom, I always like to acknowledge the power of content consumption on digital devices. Empowering students as creators is essential, but thinking of students as consumers of content is important too. We want to prepare children of all ages to read, view, and listen, to content shared on digital devices.

Here’s an excerpt from Tasks Before Apps: Designing Rigorous Learning in a Tech-Rich Classroom (ASCD):

“Students are avid consumers of content. Over the course of a single day, they might watch a video clip, listen to an interview, scroll through an article, or click a link on social media. Digital tools have transformed the way we teach students to be critical thinkers about the information they encounter. With devices in their hands, students of all ages can access material of all kinds with ease. As educators, we must help students navigate the information they come across as consumers.” (p. 25)

TED-Ed Videos for Students and Teachers

Earlier this year I shared a favorite TED-Ed video when leading a session at the NCTE conference in Houston. I said something I often do when introducing a favorite digital tool, “There are so many reasons I love TED-Ed!” So when reflecting on some of my favorites from this year, I thought I would sit down and actually share a list of reasons when I love TED-Ed so much.

Here are 25 reasons… I hope if you love them as much as me that you’ll share the link to this blog post on social and add a few more favorites to the list!

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1. Explainer Videos Are Relatable

TED-Ed videos explain a concept on a variety of topics. These type of “explainer videos” help students better understand an idea. Explainer videos are a relatable format for students of all ages. This style of videos are popular with vloggers on YouTube and frequently shared on social media.

2. Content is Engaging

Although the topic of cicadas might not grab your students interest on a piece of paper, the video presentation of material will certainly grab their attention. Below you’ll find one of my favorite TED-Ed videos to share with teachers. This video is a favorite example of just how engaging their videos are on all subjects.

3. Diverse Topics

As soon as you head over to TED-Ed’s website you’ll see a wide range of topics. There is the ability to search by keyword or browse by subject area. So you can find videos related to mythology, physics, health and more.

4.  You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

Your students might have a burning question that TED-Ed addresses in one of their videos. We all are guilty of the fact that “you don’t know what you don’t know.” You might encourage students to explore this website and choose one video to watch and reflect on what they learned.

5. Comprehension Questions

When you access a TED-Ed video straight from their website — as opposed to searching on YouTube — you’ll find comprehension questions that go along with each video. These are great for checking for understanding and helping you make connections to another topic explored in your classroom.

6. Use Questions for Discussion

The questions provided by TED-Ed, along with ones you develop yourself, are great for discussions. You might pose the question for your entire class. Alternatively, you might ask students to discuss in small groups.

7. Flipped Classroom

If you are participating in a true flipped classroom model, you share resources for students to read, watch or listen to outside of the classroom. Then when students come to class, they participate in discussions and solve problems together. You can share a TED-Ed video for students to watch before class. 

8. Post in Google Classroom

Teachers using Google Classroom can easily share TED-Ed videos with their students. You can post a link as an announcement for students. If you want students to respond or have a discussion, you can also do this in Google Classroom.

9.  Turn Into QR Codes

In a BYOD environment, you can turn a link with a TED-Ed video into a QR code . This way students can scan and watch the video on their device. This strategy is also a great option if you are not using an LMS with students and need another way to share a link.

10.  Curate Watchlists for Students

Since TED-Ed videos are available on YouTube , you can set up a watchlist for students. This curated list is perfect for selecting specific videos related to a single topic. If you sign into your Google/YouTube account, you can create a watchlist and share the link with students. 

11.  Listening Comprehension

The visuals in TED-Ed videos are compelling. I you are focused on addressing a particular Listening standard, they can definitely support this work. You might ask students to listen without watching first, then replay the video with visuals.

12.  Student Work Exemplary

As I mentioned in the introduction, students can create in the classroom in lots of ways. If you want students to create explainer videos, TED-Ed is a perfect exemplar. Give students a chance to explore their library of videos for inspiration. Then students can use a tool like Adobe Spark Video to create their own explainer videos.

13.  Demo Power of YouTube

Sometimes the only thing we associate with YouTube are videos that are silly, or not very educational. TED-Ed is an excellent example of educational videos hosted on a platform with diverse content. You can use a TED-Ed video to spark a conversation on YouTube resources.

14. Extend a Reading Passage

Imagine your students have finished reading a Newsela article on a scientific development related to dental health. You might show them a video associated with this topic like How do teeth evolve? This strategy is also a great way to prompt a response from students on a reading passage.

15.  Provide Background

Before starting a new project, reading a book, or exploring a topic, you can provide background information with a video clip. Sharing a TED-Ed video can help level the playing field for students who might not know about something. You could share a video that provides background knowledge in an LMS before class.

16.  Make Cross-Curricular Connections

When subjects are taught individually, students may find it challenging to make connections. TED-Ed videos provide context for how different topics connect. For example, if you are studying the history of the Arctic, you might share a video like Why can’t some birds fly? that features penguins.

17.  Share with Families

A monthly newsletter is a great way to stay connected with families. If you are looking for content to share, TED-Ed is a great resource. Choose a video to include in your newsletter that connects to a topic you are exploring with students this month.

18. Use a Teaser

A TED-Ed can act as an introduction to a new topic. You can use a video on a Friday to “tease” a topic you are going to explore the following week. This strategy is one you can use if you are posting videos for students to watch before class too.

19. Capture Questions

If a TED-Ed video is helping you introduce a new topic, it’s a perfect opportunity to gather student questions. Try incorporating a strategy like a KWL to have students jot down what they already know and what they want to know about a topic. You might pause the video a few times to give students a chance to gather their questions.

20. Practice Online Discussion Skills

Learning how to participate in an online discussion is an important skill. TED-Ed videos are perfect for backchannel discussions. You might create an open backchannel for students to respond organically or provide prompts.

21. Spark Ideas for Inquiry

Students getting ready to research can gather ideas and find a topic they want to learn more about using TED-Ed. Provide brainstorming time for students to dig in and watch videos to gather research ideas. You can model how you think aloud and gather ideas as you watch a video before sending students off to explore.

22.  Create a Summary

You might have several ELA goals related to writing in response to reading. Students can watch a TED-Ed video and write a summary of the information presented. This strategy helps students transfer the main idea into a topic sentence and decide on the most critical and relevant key details.

23. Share in Seesaw

If you are using Seesaw this year, TED-Ed videos make a great combo. Teachers can share TED-Ed videos as a link in Seesaw for students to watch. Then students can respond with a drawing, note or video.

24. Find Supporting Evidence

Students researching a topic in any subject can benefit from the information providing in TED-Ed videos. These videos offer ideas and supporting evidence for students creating public service announcements. If your students are writing persuasive essays, the information presented in these videos will also come in handy.

25. Set-up Students as Lifelong Learners

Although this list has included lots of classroom activities, we all want students to stay curious, lifelong learners. TED-Ed can demonstrate the power of digital content to students and how one question leads to another. It is an excellent resource for all members of your school community, and I can’t wait to hear how you use it this school year! 

cross posted at classtechtips.com

Dr. Monica Burns is a former classroom teacher, Speaker, and Curriculum & EdTech Consultant. She is the author of Tasks Before Apps (ASCD) and #FormativeTech (Corwin). Visit Monica's site ClassTechTips.com for more ideas on how to become a tech-savvy teacher.

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