Let’s consider the things that TED Ed asks the learner to do: watch a video, take a multiple-choice quiz, write brief constructed responses, and read through a bibliography. If I took the name TED out of this scenario, I would suggest that many educators would say that this format is exactly the type of traditional assessment that project-based, inquiry-driven, personalized learning is at odds with.
It is perfectly fine to watch a video. It is perfectly fine to view a lecture. It is perfectly fine to quiz yourself on what you remember from the video or the lecture. It is perfectly fine to write a brief response about a big question. But let’s not call that a lesson. That’s just a starting point.
Lessons come from doing.
Shelly Blake-Plock via http://teachpaperless.blogspot.com/2012/04/problem-with-ted-ed.html
Bravo Scott! The same can be said for other online learning experiences (Khan or the plethora of expensive subscriptions to other services). I like TED, I like Khan, and I like some of the commercial stuff too. Yet, they are not the be-all-and-end-all of learning for our youth.
Our kids need a “live” influence, someone who challenges them on the spot. Can this be done solely through a computer interface?
I recently wrote that my best learning experiences were on my own time. In retrospect, this was as an adult, when I already knew how to harness the tools I had available for learning. I used tech to learn the basics, but then I put it to use. On the serious side, I learned a new skill to develop an online system for submitting work orders for our district that is still in use today. On the lighter side, I learned how to weave baskets so that I could make center pieces made out of CAT5 cable.
Doing is key. Motivation for doing is also important.
I believe in order for students to learn they need mulitple ways to achieve that goal. Students learn best during hands on activities. Yes, they should be taught through video, powerpoints, smart board games and blogs. I agree that learning comes from doing. There are many different parts that make up explicit instruction.
As an educator, I teach students to learn by training their brains to focus on important information. I use my math and memory system Brainetics (www.brainetics.com) to teach thousands of children to retain information. Students need to have fun when learning and be inspired by education.
Great article!
Mike Byster
http://www.mikebyster.com
Educator, Author of Genius, Inventor of Brainetics