Ken Robinson TED talk

Check out this intelligent, funny and provocative 19 minute Sir Ken Robinson TED talk.

Some quotes from the TED talk:

• America spends more money on education than many other countries

• Education is based on conformity

• 10% of kids are being diagnosed with ADHD - I don't believe it's an epidemic

• Children are suffering from "childhood"

• If you can light the spark of curiosity, children will learn

• Curiosity is the engine of achievement

• There is no education system in the world that is better than its teachers

• If there's no learning going on, there's no education going on

• You can be engaged in the activity of something but not really achieving it, like dieting

• The dominant culture of education is about testing

• Testing should support learning, not replace it

• Human life is inherently creative

• One role of education is to awaken creativity

• The role of command and control doesn't work in education

• There is wonderful work happening in this country in spite of the dominant education culture

• Education is not a mechanical system, it's a human system

• Alternative education programs are personalized with strong teacher support

•  The culture of the school is essential

Human Connection in the Classroom

Check out this TED talk by Rita Pierson.

Rita F. Pierson, Ed.D. of Houston, Texas, has been a professional educator since 1972. As an educator, she has served in numerous roles, including elementary regular and special education teacher, junior high school teacher, counselor, assistant principal, director, testing coordinator, and consultant. 

Rita Pierson once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don’t like.’” A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.

Here are some more quotes from the 7-minute talk:

"No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship."
"Apologize...Tell a kid you are sorry, and they are in shock."
"If you say it long enough, it starts to become a part of you."
"Minus 18 sucks all the life out of you. Plus 2 says I am not all bad."

"Teaching and learning should bring joy."
"Every child deserves a champion."

Check it out! Go here to see the TED video.