Using TED Talks to Inspire Thoughtful Practice

How can teacher educators provide relevant and important content in an educational environment that is rapidly evolving? TED.com is a website that provides content that meets these criteria in its mission of promoting “ideas that are worth spreading.” Rather than ignoring the incredible access to the world's most innovative and dynamic speakers, teacher educators can integrate them into class lectures, discussions, and activities. In-class time can then be spent exploring the content, asking questions, applying the material to real situations, or developing methods to extend the content. Many TED Talks are relevant to educating teachers, but this article highlights several talks that promote teachers' understanding of student motivation and instructional practices. As our society's challenges continue to demand motivated and knowledgeable individuals, teachers have a responsibility to prepare students to tackle these problems. TED Talks provide relevant content that informs teachers of best practices, current issues, and innovative future possibilities.