4 Reasons for Adding TED-Ed to Your Digital Toolbox

If you visited the Remote Learning page on our site, you may have seen an idea and template for using TED Talks with your students. TED’s (Technology, Entertainment, Design) mission according to their website, centers on a passionate belief in “the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives, and ultimately, the world”. TED-Ed is one of the initiatives that has grown from TED with the same goal but with a focus on educators and students. You may be thinking, yeah, but why use TED-Ed in the classroom? We offer 4 reasons why TED-Ed should be in your digital resource classroom toolbox. 

#1 Encourage the 4 Cs of 21st Century Learners

Remember those 4 Cs of 21st Century Learning we so often mention in our blogs and podcasts? The lessons offered by TED-Ed challenges students with new ways of thinking about topics, ignites their curiosity, and engages them in real-life problems and solutions - all ways that scream the 4 Cs!

What can you do with TED-Ed? According to their website, ed.tec.com you can “Discover ideas that spark the curiosity of learners, create customized lessons for your students, and inspire your students to share their big ideas.” With so many opportunities for you and your students, how can you not use TED-Ed in the classroom?

#2 Support your curriculum with TED-Ed lessons and resources. 

Each video-based lesson is divided into 4 sections: 

• Watch: Students view the video.
• Think: Students answer questions pertaining to the video. 
• Dig Deeper: Students can dig deeper with additional resources on the topic.
• Discuss: Students can participate in guided or open-ended discussion questions. 

Several options for using TED-Ed lessons include providing background knowledge on a new topic of study, spark interest in a new topic, supplement your standards, make connections to other areas of study and more. Teachers and students who register (free), can customize existing lessons to fit their own educational goals and objectives. Even better, teachers can sign up to receive daily lessons emailed directly to them. ​​

#3 Gives students control of their own learning.

The TED-Ed platform is set up so that you can easily have students take the driver's seat. Possibly provide a general template that will fit any topic they decide to learn about while helping them keep a focus for their learning. 
Do you have students who love to talk? Do they have a passion project or something else they feel strongly about - environmental issues, etc? Let them use the TED-Ed curriculum and the resource library to create their very own Student Talk and share with the world! ​

#4 Lessons are engaging, relatable, and some are fun!

The video-based lessons and animations instantly draw you in and add to the engagement factor for students. A favorite is about a bug named Mabel, titled The Bug that Poops Candy. Now if that title doesn’t get you excited about learning, we are not sure what will! ​

Are you using TED-Ed in your classroom? Do you have questions or other suggestions? Tell us all about in the comments and give us Somethin' to Tech About!

TED-Ed by dru.piersol