Lynn Hardin

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Teaching Strategies

Top 5 TED Talks for Education that Inspire Students and Teachers

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Back to School is here as teachers and students return to the classroom.  Here are 5 great TED Talks for Education that inspire with style!

Julian Treasure: How to speak so that people want to listen 

First of all this Ted Talk for Education is inspirational, informative and addresses gossiping, judgment, negativity, lying, opinions rather than facts or the seven deadly sins of speaking. For that reason he gives 4 cornerstones to remedy these previously mentioned problems. Similarly Julian Treasure teaches solution for problems in expression through speech with the acronym HAIL. His suggestions could be adapted for all ages.

Susan Cain: The power of introverts

Most noteworthy it is not unusual to think others are like us. We work in an educational community that values talking, making lots of friends and very social. If you are an introvert that values reading over talking the classroom can sometimes be a place of discomfort and even shame. This Ted Talk for Education beautifully explains the world of the introvert and their quiet introverted ways of being bring value to the classroom and world.

Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion

Certainly every great teacher knows that students can tell if you like them or don’t like them. Love, respect and liking our students are the most basic and important belief we bring to education. Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, reminds us all in this Ted Talk for Education to love our students and connect with them at a human level. We are all called to meet our students and their families wherever they are in their educational journey.

Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution!

Even more this Ted Talk for Education is funny but deadly serious at the same time. It speaks to our authentic selves and will speak to many educators who teach from a sense of purpose.   He argues against reform and advocates educational transformation.

Reshma Saujani: Teach girls bravery, not perfection

Furthermore culturally girls are taught to play it safe and if you are perfect life works out well. We raise our girls to be perfect rather than to have courage. This Ted Talk for Education raises the question, “What if we raised our girls to be brave?”

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Top 5 TED Talks Back to School

50 Ways to Say “Awesome”

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Part of having an AWESOME style is being able to give and receive appreciation. In our culture there is not an AWESOME amount of appreciation. It seems it is easier for most to give appreciation but very difficult to receive appreciation. Yet so much happens when there is an exchange of AWESOME giving and receiving. It is off balance to just give, give and give. The same is true for one that just takes, takes and takes.

Let’s talk a little about receiving. Think about how often we do not receive AWESOME compliments. An example is when someone at work says that you look really pretty or what a AWESOME outfit you have on and we respond negatively. We say something like this old thing or tell them what we paid for. Then there is the inside the head conversation we have. This is my personal favorite! When someone give us a compliment and we wonder what he or she wants from us.

Giving is easier in our world because we are taught, especially as women to give not matter and just let them drain the marrow from your bones, because that is what a good girl would do. Just giving and giving has that draining effect for sure and will leave us with a serious resentment. It is very difficult to give for fun or for free. Also, that type of giving is creepy for others.

A simple way to express giving and receiving is with a word or words.

Let’s start simple with 50 different ways to say AWESOME whether you are the giver or the receiver.

  1. Great
  2. Grand
  3. Breathtaking
  4. Splendid
  5. Tremendous
  6. Remarkable
  7. Awe-inspiring
  8. Astounding
  9. Humbling
  10. Fearsome
  11. Impressive
  12. Majestic
  13. Magnificent
  14. Striking
  15. Powerful
  16. Fascinating
  17. Marvelous
  18. Unbelievable
  19. Wonderful
  20. Amazing
  21. Astounding
  22. Bewildering
  23. Extraordinary
  24. Miraculous
  25. Spectacular
  26. Staggering
  27. Stunning
  28. Stupefying
  29. Boss
  30. Stupendous
  31. Moving
  32. Unreal
  33. Glorious
  34. Super
  35. Brilliant
  36. Distinguished
  37. Excellent
  38. Superb
  39. Exquisite
  40. Wicked
  41. Keen
  42. Out of this world
  43. Peachy
  44. Super
  45. Super-duper
  46. Superior
  47. Delicious
  48. Colossal
  49. Beautiful
  50. Enough

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50 Ways to Say "AWESOME"

What Could We Learn from Listening?

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First of all how would you like know what someone is thinking? It is possible to listen to anyone and discover what they really mean or find out where they are in their learning.  Hence, it is reasonable to be present when a parent or child is upset and not be triggered by their emotion.  Most of all how about getting to the point in a playground issue? This is all possible by practicing the strategy “Listening to Learn.”

Unfortunately, the default for most of us when we are listening to someone else speak is to think in our head do I agree or disagree with what they are saying. Instead try listening to learn by asking yourself as someone is speaking, “What is important to him or her? What really matters to them? What are they showing me they care about?”

This is instead of “do I agree or think this is nonsense?”

Therefore Listening to Learn is the best way to find out what is important to a person.  We can go from being upset or bored to having a highly enjoyable and informative experience.  Because whatever someone’s talking about (politics/health care/child care/vacation spots), that person is revealing something about himself/herself. It doesn’t matter what he or she’s talking about, there’s always something to learn.

Seems like when someone is expressing an opinion, it sounds like ranting or complaining. 

Instead take a moment to shift from agreeing or disagreeing and listen to Learn what he or she is revealing that he/she cares about. Maybe they care about their family, a child’s well being, being liked by others, being seen, wanting to be a part of the class, being truly heard. Most children and upset family members especially just want to be heard.

The more we listen to learn, the more we will be told about the situation and the values of the person speaking.  Listening to learn can be like a treasure hunt where you keep searching for the gems they are revealing. What is he/she showing you? What do you see about him or her?

This is a great strategy to practice and use in the classroom, at parent conferences, meeting with your principal, at the dinner table, on a date and any new social situations such as a party. It will turn a unknown or even scary situation into an adventure.

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What We learn from Listening to Learn