Inspiring+Talks

=View this Inspiring Video by Sir Ken Robinson= media type="custom" key="23155434"

Robyn Shelton

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=TEDxBend - Bending Rules= =Raj Dhingra - Can Technology Change Education? Yes!=

Raj Dhingra gives a wonderful and inspiring talk on how to use technology to change the education of our children across the world. His organization, NComputing has a website that shares successful stories of technology integration into the classroom and how those classrooms have changed the face of learning. Mr. Dhingra presents three "myths" educators believe of technology integration in the classroom, and he then debunks each one with success stories from across the world and then presents a "lesson" one should learn from that success story. **His presentation is based around three "lessons" in technology integration. These are:** Mr. Dhingra and his company, NComputing, see a broader purpose of using technology in the classroom - universal connectivity. He states that this means any student can learn - anytime and anywhere through technology. Mr. Dhingra also stated that our resources available on the Internet are growing at a very rapid pace, so me must utilize this in order to change our children's education. As his presentation demonstrates... **Learn... Share... CHANGE!**
 * **Dream big, despite small means**
 * **Unlock the power of student-centric learning**
 * **Deliver access to many, not just a few.**

Steven Sawyermedia type="custom" key="23297608" INSPIRING TALK I think Taylor has a great point when he says teachers make a difference. A lawyer can point to a case they won and their paycheck. A doctor can point to a patient they help and their paycheck. However, a teacher can have as many as 150 children a year come through their classroom and a teacher can make a difference in every child's life. In seven years of teaching, I have had so many students come to me and say I was their inspiration for __#|becoming a teacher__. Those same kids say that everyone else tells them to be something besides a teacher because they do not make as much money. If money was the sole motivation for living, I would be doing something else and probably hate it like most of my friends.

Fayetta Little

=Bill Gates talked about statistics relating to the dropout rate and the likelihood of students being successful based on social status. He believes that there’s a big variation between top teachers and teachers that are not labeled as top teachers. Top teachers are defined based on past performances. I do agree with some of his ideology, but he is missing some vital points. Great teachers are doing their best at all times. Furthermore, we should not compare apples to apples when it comes to education in different countries. The culture and values are totally different. In my opinion, education is not valued in the American homes. I feel too many children come to school unmotivated and unwilling to learn. Some children do not realize the importance of an education. However, other countries see it as a vital aspect of life.=

Lindsey Patterson media type="custom" key="23316056" Common Core __#|Video__ Many students are not ready for life after high school. Whether it is college, a vocational career, or a job in general, students are not ready educationally for what is to come. The United States is steadily becoming behind other countries with the number of people with a __#|college degree__. Differences in standards between schools are the reason some students are challenged while others are not. Common Core State Standards addresses this issue. Common core creates a benchmark within the classroom and creates universal standards for each grade level. Creating this universal benchmark can allow all students to be taught the same information with no worries of getting an insufficient education based on location.

=Keonn Nettlesmedia type="custom" key="23343192"= =**Inspiring our Teachers**= ==The video touches on how as educators, if we expect our students to be innovators and shape our future, then we need to innovative and reshape the way we implement our teaching. No matter what a student's circumstance, we need to ensure __all__ students have what is needed to be successful. That means we as educators must have the time and ability to be collaborative, innovative, and creative enough to offer students our very best. Educating is about creating a teaching and learning experience that is so expansive that it is beyond definition, while creating an environment where __all__ students thrive.==

Benjamin McDanielmedia type="custom" key="23305642"

===Rita Pierson has been in education for over 40 years. I did a little research on her credentials and found that 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. She has experience to back up her motivational speech. I am a firm believer that relationships are so important when trying to make a difference in someone’s life. In all the roles I have, a relationship must be established in order to provide a connection. Dr. Pierson states that a human connection must be present in order to reach the students. She illustrates a story that one of her colleagues made the statement that she was not paid to like the kids, but to just teach them. Dr. Pierson replied to her colleague that kids do not learn from people they do not like. This example is so true. It is our responsibility to pull the good out of the students and make them believe they can learn. If you continually tell your students they can succeed, then eventually it becomes a part of who they are. Education is changing drastically, but how we treat students does not have to change. As educators, our responsibility is to teach the students in a way that brings joy to both teaching and learning. She closed with challenging educators to be the champion that every kid needs and to leave a legacy that will make a difference in the future.===

Tara Howell media type="custom" key="23346828"

This video inspires us to reach for what we never thought we could believe. In education, some students are constantly hurt by loves ones who tell them why they cannot do what they want to do. This experiment allowed the community, including students, the opportunity to reflect on their desires and share them with their community. Just as the video displayed, educators have the opportunity each day to take “neglected space” and make it “constructive space.” It is important for our students to realize they can be themselves. They need to be able to share their hopes and dreams, while realizing that they’re not alone. It is also important that our students attempt to understand others and reflect on what matters most as they grow and change.

Christi George media type="youtube" key="AFIR3Jy9xuw" width="560" height="315" Paul discussed the role of technology in today’s education. //Misconceptions// Technology should not be taught as a separate subject but integrated into all areas of learning. __#|Schools__ should invest properly in technology, not by just purchasing the technology but training faculty on the proper use of it. Technology should be updated frequently. Paul gives an example of how we try to teach “student-centered” but only the teacher uses the technology so it become “teacher-centered.” Another example of poor technology use is online quizzes and tests. Students are given immediate feedback but this isn’t giving them the ability to use the technology (just the teacher). //Positives// Technology gives students that ability to tap into high levels of thinking instead of just memorizing facts for a test. Using the internet also allows students to learn ethics and being able to spot authentic information. //Collaboration and Self Esteem// Students and teacher can use many Web 2.0 sites to collaborate on projects and research. Paul states that this gives “students a voice.” It makes them feel like they are contributing to something worthwhile. //Creativity// Since students have different learning styles, they can express themselves creatively in many ways, such as videos, presentations, experiments, websites, and audio clips.
 * How to Use Technology In Education (21st Century Education)**

Jerome Franks media type="youtube" key="YsYHqfk0X2A" width="560" height="315" **Ramsey Musallam: 3 Rules To Spark Learning** Ramsey Musallam is an educator of thirteen years that faced a life threatening condition at the age of 35. Mussallam was diagnosed with a large amorism at the base of his aorta which required immediate surgery. While Mussalam was terrified of what the future held for him, his surgeon never seemed worried. Musallam developed a teaching technique that was inspired by three rules his surgeon said that he used when faced with completing a difficult surgery. Rule number one is “Curiosity First.” At a young age, Mussallam's daughter constantly asks the question “why.” This question is the key to sparking learning at any age. The task for educators is to keep students intrigued to where they are constantly curious about the topic being covered. Rule number two is to “Embrace the Mess.” Mussallam reminds everyone that teaching is ugly and hard work. The secret for educators is to embrace the challenge and make the best of it. Students will mimic the educator’s attitude in many situations, so being positive and excited is vitally important. Finally rule number three is to “Practice Reflection.” Without taking the time to think about what has been taught and learn how to apply the lesson to future aspects of life, the entire process becomes a waste of time. Mussallam’s experience is a reminder to all of us to remember why education is our chosen career.

Quantavias Allen

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When I think about motivational speeches one speech always come to mind. Eric Thomas motivational speech basically changed my life. This speech changed the way I teach, coach, and motivate my students. Eric Thomas made me look at life in a different way. The part of his speech that stands out to me the most was the story he told about the man trying to teach the young boy how to be successful and make money. I was confused when the man first told the boy to hold his breath under water. I was wondering what the boy holding his breath under water had to do with him being successful, but when he told the boy “whenever you want to succeed more than you want to breathe you will be a successful person” made me really think. It made me wonder how much do I really want to succeed and also how much do I want my students to succeed. Am I really doing whatever it takes to help my students learn? Am I doing everything I can to reach out to all of my students and communicate with them? These are all questions that crossed my mind. My coach showed me this video my sophomore year of college and I went out and had the best game of my life. Whenever I feel down I always watch this video. I feel that everyone should watch this video.