Teachers can explore valuable topics by reading new, original books from TED, viewing TED Talks, and exploring other online resources. Through TED education they can gain a deeper understanding of a variety of topics to enhance classroom instruction and to foster personal growth.
What is a Ted Talk?
TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a nonprofit media organization which posts talks online for free distribution, under the slogan “ideas worth spreading”. TED’s early emphasis was technology and design, consistent 
with its Silicon Valley origins, but it has since broadened its focus to include talks on many scientific, cultural, and academic topics.TED is devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Ted Talks are educational, inspiring and academic. Ted Talks on YouTube are generally the most viewed.
Events are held throughout North America and in Europe and Asia, offering live streaming of the talks. These talks address a wide range of topics within the research and practice of science and culture, often through storytelling. The speakers are given a maximum of 18 minutes to present their ideas in the most innovative and engaging ways they can. Past speakers include Bill Clinton, Jane Goodall, Al Gore, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Billy Graham, Richard Dawkins, Bill Gates, Bono, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and many Nobel Prize winners.
TED Talks are offered for free viewing online through TED.com. More than 2,400 TED Talks are freely available on the website. TED Talks are viewed by billions of people.
Authentic vs. Incentive Motivation
Given the instructional nature of TED, it is a perfect outlet for teachers to inspire and motivate students.
And teachers can earn professional credit through a series based on using TED Talks. Courses use a TED Talk book; online TED Talks and web resources to help teachers motivate students to learn skills that will help them succeed and are happy in the work place of the future.
Participants will:
- Explore authentic and incentive motivation theories.
- Read the TED Book The Way We Work and compare its content with the classroom reality and the reality of life outside the classroom.
- View TED Talks and relate the content of each talk to the classroom and the personal and professional life of the teacher.
- Write about how students can be prepared to succeed and be happy in the work place of the future.
