Ted Talk Response #8 Jay Walker

1. One of the major aspects I took away from this video is different types of mania – one thing that I had never really thought of. Could there be different types of mania? Aren’t they all just… fun, and crazy? However, it occurred to me while watching this video that there are in fact different types. Yes, they all consist of fascinations, so to speak. However, I believe I had always thought of manias as fun, entertaining things. I believe myself to be the picture-perfect mania-stricken person for one particular craze: Beatlemania(although I wasn’t alive during the actual craze). Walker showed a photo of the Nazis. Without even having to go into more detail, I realized that manias are not all fun and entertaining. I had never thought of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust as a mania, but now I see it was. Manias can cause great distress and violence, not just happiness. In addition, this presentation, of course, got me thinking about English. Why is it that it has become a worldwide mania? My first thought was of the beauty of it, the capability of it, the wonderful thing it is. However, as the presentation progressed, I realized that while that initial thought could be considered a valid part of the reasoning behind the mania, there was more to it. What was discussed was what opportunities English could bring to people, and how it would enable people to participate in worldwide conversations and issues. This is true, as it is known that English is taking over the world. So, in a sense, supporting evidence for the world’s English mania is the world’s English mania itself.

2. It did not appear that Walker possessed any particularly effective speaking techniques. One notable method, though, was his extremely loud voice. Although the volume almost reached a level of annoyance, it was notable because it gave me the feeling that he was extremely interested in what he discussed. This not only provokes the audience, but the speaker himself.

3. Walker’s presentation style was interesting. It was the first I viewed that included video, and someone else’s voice. This would only make sense, as the topic being discussed was language. Hearing and seeing Chinese citizens and students be so passionate about the language just further supported the fact that English has become a mania. Visuals also aided the presentation, with driving the point, but also by providing examples of well-known manias to familiarize the audience with the aspect of what a mania is.

4. I believe that it is essential to realize that just like people, manias inhabit a wide variety of types. When a community, whatever the size, is swept into the mania, we must make sure that we understand the meaning behind it. If, perhaps, more German people had realized the meaning behind the mania in Nazi Germany, the results wouldn’t have been as horrible. Then again, that’s just an idea. This English mania the world possesses is obviously connected to the world, as the world possesses it, and education, as the mania is being spread through the teaching of the language. English is everywhere. Instead of simply accepting it, one may benefit from considering why people all over the world turn to English. Personally, this made me think of my U.S. History education – learning about American imperialism and its journey to becoming a world power. And a world power it is! It would make sense that this English mania is due largely to the power and leadership America has in the world in all different aspects of life – politics, war, economy, science, entertainment, the list goes on and on. Since English-speakers have such an enormous influence in the world, it would only make sense that in order to participate in world events and issues, other countries would learn to speak the language in which these issues are largely discussed. On another personal note, I want to write books when I am older. I have always loved the English language. This would make sense, as it is my first and currently my only language. However, I feel that I have a connection to English that is deeper and more meaningful that the fact that I speak it. The beauty and loveliness of the language is constantly becoming of more and more importance to me as I read, speak, listen to, and write the language. To me, this would appear a major factor in the causes of the English mania. 

Ted Talk Response #7 Jonathan Klein

1. I couldn’t believe that in six minutes Klein was able to get so much across during his presentation. One thing that I feel I really thought was important that I took away from this video was that idea that one should act on what you take away from a photograph. One should pay attention to whatever emotion is felt when viewing a photograph, as some are so incredibly powerful. It had also never really consciously occurred to me that powerful images don’t have to be graphic. Klein showed the photo of the women lying down by a grave with her head between her arms. It wasn’t graphic at all, but it hit me. I think it all has to do with human ability to feel emotion, to react. We, as humans, naturally have fairly strong reactions and emotions in response to things we see, watch, hear, etc. Much of it, if not all of it, should be credited to the biology of the human, as it is ourselves that find the interest to take photos and, in turn, react to them. These photos wouldn’t mean anything if we were incapable of feeling something.

2. Klein did not possess any unusual or incredible effective speaking techniques. He did, however, possess techniques vital to an effective presentation – he was articulate, calm, and did not move in such a way that was distracting. One must also consider that much of the attention was not focused on Klein himself, but the photos and ideas he presented.

3. I found Klein’s presentation style to be extremely effective. For one, since he was discussing the power of photography, it only made since that he would support his ideas with famous photographs themselves. He did not go into great deal on any of the photographs. This enabled viewers to have their own independent reaction to the photograph – the aspect that has enabled photographs to be so powerful – emotion. Since many were well-known photographs, the presentation also enabled many viewers to revist, or feel once again their reaction to an event. Photographs used in the presentation not only provoked emotion and memory from viewers, but also served as direct evidence and support for the point Klein was getting across. On another aspect, the duration of the presentation was effective. Klein said what was important and let the photographs support and continue his presentation. In a way, the photographs he used served the exact purpose for his presentation that he told powerful photographs do. The presentation was exactly to the point. The short duration of it enabled the audience to recall their own memories and comprehend their own thoughts and reactions to the presentation – all that Klein said photographs do.  

4. This video matters to many aspects in life. We all know what a certain photograph can make us feel, but it is important to realize what these emotions can make us do. Klein made the point of acting. This is obviously essential to make change, to make things happen. Today, with such a visual, media-consumed world, it is vital that we realize what things we see to be important. With images racing past our eyes many times a day, one must be in tune with what image speaks to him or her, and what image matters to him or her. Examples of well-known photos presented by Klein obviously had a great impact on the world and mattered to many, many people. One connection to me personally – right now, we are studying the Vietnam War in U.S. History. Even before Klein brought the “living room war,” into his presentation, many of my thoughts while watching the video were of it. Also, many photos shown by Klein were photos I had recently viewed at other times and places in my life. This video meant even more to me after being instructed of the impact of these images in greater detail in other classes. For example, during Vietnam, when the photo of the screaming Vietnamese children running away from American soldiers was released, it provoked an intense reaction in America – one specifically, in this case, of opposition to the soldiers themselves, not just the war. Photos can provoke action, alter perspectives, change perception, and ultimately, change the world. 

Ted Talk Response #6 Dave Eggers

1. I was quite astounded with this presentation. It was quite incredible. One of my first thoughts was the fact that I had heard one of these ideas before: the importance of one-on-one time with a student. Eggers talked of how his teacher friends would have classes overwhelmingly full, with no possibility of each student having a set time period devoted to them and their needs. I had already heard of this conflict – it seems it’s everywhere in education. I found Egger’s speech to be extremely inspirational, as not only did he and his collegues recognize the issue, but chose to do something about it. Even more so, it is obvious that there are intrinsic motivators involved with the organization, which is touching to me. It is so great to know that people are willing to devote time, energy, and knowledge to children to improve their lives. I thought all the aspects of the organization were very clever. With an environment that is fun and interesting, young kids are probably more likely to have a desire to come to tutoring and work on skills because it feels less like school, and it is just a pleasant environment. This presentation also showed me how just a few people can start a huge thing. It was an idea, then with more connections to other people they had a space, the space got renovated, the space was improved, and with more connections, like the connection to the educator from Mexico City, the organization gained momentum, and then it grew. So much resulted from this idea, including published works and a store, but even more importantly a positive attitude from kids and a feeling of true success – not one consisting of money or anything of that sort, but one consisting of doing a really great thing. In the end, it seems that knowing a difference was made is more important than the physical objects obtained from it, if any. Dave Egger’s organization and the organizations that grew from it not only helped many, many kids, but proved a point as to what can happen and what matters in the world.

2. Dave Egger at first was distracting with his speaking techniques for me. It appeared that he talked fast and didn’t know what he was doing, but as the presentation progressed, it became obvious that he had a goal in mind. He moved around and fidgeted a great deal, and it seems that he stumbled with articulating his thoughts at times. However, he made up for these errors by making fun of them. This not only caused him to relax, but it caused the audience to relax as well. Although his speaking was a bit chaotic at times, Eggers spoke in such a way that it was obvious he was passionate about what he talked about. This was extremely effective.

3. Egger’s presentation style was largely visual. The topic and information he presented was much easier to grasp with the help of visuals. He also, at times, looked down at notes to guide his presentation, but this did not subtract from it, as it showed that he had a goal with what he wanted to get across, but he was comfortable with a relaxed style of presentation and let himself and his thoughts come into it. This made it all the more enjoyable.  The visuals included also seemed to aid Eggers as well as the audience, as it would provoke thoughts, memories, and jokes that would drive his concept further. I found Egger’s presentation style to be extremely effective.

4. This video absolutely matters to the world, to myself, and to education. Today, education is essential to success in the world. It is also important to realize that our world consists of people. Shouldn’t we help those we can? The goal of Egger’s organization is very important to the world and education – because as population and space occupation increases, the demand for more instructors in education increases. With circumstances such as the economy, this is not always possible. It is becoming even more obvious to us that there is a need for time devoted to one person at a time. We know what may result from one-on-one time: incredible progress and incredible things. With many aspects in the world increasing, the importance of education and the importance of every person may be even more important than it always has been. On a personal level, I am interested in being a teacher when I am older. Even from an early age, people, in particular children, have always been important to me. I feel that I understand the gravity of the situation which Eggers discussed. In addition, I know what it feels like to be one of many students, athletes, or members of a certain class, team, or group that feel they are not always getting the attention they deserve or feel they need. Eggers not only addressed an extremely important issue, but showed that such an issue may be solved with the help of people in a local area, and the impact that solution may have on a city, a state, a country, even a world. 

Ted Talk Response #5 Chimamanda Adichie

1.     1. My immediate take-away from this video was how Adichie used the phrase, “A single story,” to describe, in a sense, ignorance and one-sided views of people, culture, and the world.  What she said made sense to me. She talked about how we are so vulnerable, especially as children. We may be introduced to this idea that everyone looks and acts a certain way, and this idea is not true. Her personal stories used as examples were evidence of how this idea, this perception, can change someone’s life and view of themselves. Adichie talked of how she would write stories of foreign characters, because those types of characters are what she had been exposed to. She talked about viewing literature as never being able to connect to herself… and what a horrible thought! One of the greatest things about literature is its ability to show ourselves in it, so we can identify and relate to characters and events, so that we can learn. She talked of how she discovered African literature, and how it changed her perception of herself. This is what literature does – it changes our minds, alters our views, and provokes thought. I believe that it is vital for each and every person to appreciate who they are and the differences, and similarities, between them and others. It is commonly said that one must be able to love themselves before they love someone else, before someone loves them. With Adichie’s personal stories – and the way in which she found herself – this common thought seems to make more sense. Adichie’s examples drive her points further – people are not always what they are perceived to be.

2.    2.  Adichie possessed effective speaking techniques. One noticeable technique was her ability to speak calmly and evenly while still holding the audience’s attention. Since she told stories, it was vital that she was able to peak an interest in the audience but also articulate her personal experiences effectively. It was also noticeable that the way in which she spoke was controlled by her ultimate goal for her presentation – to tell her stories in the way in which she would naturally tell them, the way they would come to her. As it is her experience, and her story, and therefore should be told by her true voice. It was obvious that Adichie used her voice.

3.    3.  I found Adichie’s presentation style to be extremely effective – due largely in part to its simplicity. Like I mentioned above, she told her story, so it was of extreme importance that it was told in her voice, using her methods. Adichie presented in a simple manner – one that was not distracting nor overwhelming. This was effective due to what she was presenting – her story. In addition, Adichie included quotes from other adventurers and authors. This evidence that was provided helped to deepen understanding of her point.

4.    4.  This video matters. Points were discussed that are of paramount importance to ourselves as human beings – how we must look beyond what we are told, investigate and decide for ourselves what kind of person someone is, or what kind of person we are. We must not assume that a person consists of one thing. In truth, we, as humans, are made up of an unimaginable number of things – things that may change with time and experience. This matters to the world, to education, and to ourselves, because as we grow and develop and enter and interact with the world and everything in it, we need to be able to look beyond a label, a title, a word… and figure out the truth for ourselves. We also need to be able to love ourselves. Without both abilities, how will we live? We must broaden our horizons and realize that we are all humans. We must embrace our differences and strive to learn and encounter other people and other cultures. We cannot possess a restricted point of view – for we may be drastically wrong. Adichie, in addition to others’ single stories, talked of her own possession of a single story. This is important, so as to realize that many people are guilty of possession of a single story.  She also mentions that stories, though may of the same topic, are told differently due to the storyteller, the listener, the point of view, the time the story is told, etc. Hearing these stories, all different, yet the same ones, deepen our understanding of an event or situation and encourage us to avoid making the single story the only story.

Ted Talk Response #4 Clay Shirky

1.     My take away from this video was ultimately, the possibilities one has with free time. Shirky made the point of putting this free time to work on projects. What projects? Projects that people participate in together, projects that affect people. According to Shirky, there are 1 trillion free hours every year in the world. He encourages us to work on projects. One may counter this argument with the tremendous amount of hours one may spend being busy. Why fill the leftover hours with more work? Shirky, when discussing cognitive surplus, or time that may be devoted to working on projects, split the concept into two categories – communial and civic. Communial cognitive surplus was defined as time devoted to projects that are created by the user and for the users. Shirky’s example was wall cats. Personally, I find these to be stupid and ridiculous, but to many, they provide a free chuckle and entertainment. This is, of course, probably not seen as a real issue – as communial cognitive surplus is fun, easy, and for each other. However, I suppose it could be viewed as an issue when compared to the other category of cognitive surplus – civic. Civic cognitive surplus is defined as free time devoted to projects created by a person that are designed to give back to a society as a whole. Shirky provided the example of Ushahidi – an informational site. Wall cats were created for the person – for the person. Ushahidi was created by the person – for the society. It might appear that civic cognitive surplus is, in a sense, more generous and beneficial, as it gives to the whole of society and provides information. Wall cats are… wall cats. However, one must consider the impact of a laugh upon a person. The ability to laugh and the ability to have fun gets us through life. I had never thought of free time in the way that Shirky presented it. It makes me think – with free time, should one work on projects that always affect others directly? A group project? Is it alright to do something that you like to do… by yourself, and for yourself? Is it not possible to affect others indirectly using this method?

2.     Shirky didn’t appear to have many effective speaking techniques to me. However, he did present with a loud voice. This is essential not only to be able to have the audience hear, but also to get the concept communicated to the audience. Shirky also gestured a great deal. Personally, I was a bit distracted by the amount of gesturing. It is possible that the audience could have been distracted as well – therefore lessening the chance that the concept was absorbed. I did not notice any other major speaking techniques demonstrated by Shirky. This could have contributed to my confusion of the talk.

3.     This Ted Talk was quite difficult for me to understand. I only grasped the whole of what Shirky was saying towards the end. This may have been partly due to Shirky’s presentation style. As soon as the presentation started, I noticed that Shirky started immediately presenting factual information. In turn, I immediately found myself confused and lost. Shirky did not begin with an introduction of any sort. I had no idea what he was talking about for the majority of the presentation. I believe that if he had begun with an introduction saying what, exactly, he was going to talk about, I could have had a greater understanding and appreciation for his talk. I also thought that many informational aspects included in the presentation didn’t contribute to a whole idea. I often wondered why some concepts were included. It seems a bit disorganized. One aspect of his presentation style, though, I found to be somewhat helpful… he used visual aid. I am a visual learner and I found it helpful to view some of the things he discussed. For example, I probably would have never fully grasped the aspect of Ushahidi if not for the provided visual examples.

4.     Although I had difficulty understanding Shirky’s presentation, I believe that certain valuable points can be taken from it and applied to life. After viewing the talk, I thought about free time, and what people choose to do with it. I realized that the reality of what people do with their free time today is quite unfortunate, in my opinion. It seems that people, especially young people, are spending their time consumed by technology and mindless activity rather than human interaction and activity that causes one to think. I believe that Shirky’s idea of devoting free time to group projects is worthy of consideration. Not only would projects be actually doing something, group projects may even be more productive because of the amount of people working on it and the amount of people affected. This may result more ideas, effort, and work. I believe that this matters to me, education, and the world, because as technology advances, the need for human ability seems to decrease, resulting in laziness and absence of depth of thought. I believe that things should exist because they matter and because they provoke thought. It is incredible what results from thought. Whether it be in a group or indivdual, whether it be communial or civic, I believe that devoting free time to something that matters may change the world. 

Ted Talk Response #3 Daniel Pink

1.     One of my major take-aways from this video is how I had never thought of some things Pink talked about in the way that he did. I had never thought of business in a way that can be summed up with “if you do this, then you get that,” and it makes sense! In a connection to my previous blog post reflection on “Price of Happiness,” it seems that the only reason some people do jobs that they might not enjoy is due to the rewards. To me, there is so much wrong with that reality. I agree with Pink when he says that motivation should be by the means of intrinsic methods. Lately I have been thinking, and I have actually realized that things should get done because we believe them to be important, and because we care about them. It just makes sense to me. I had also never thought of the outcome of having an “if-then” situation. Pink explained that having such a situation would narrow the field of what would be produced. This makes some sense to me. Regardless of whether it is right or wrong in my mind, however, is beside the point. I think that this idea is of value. Could it be true that when a clear destination is put in front of you and a shiny reward sparkles in the folds of your mind that the product will be within boundaries? Maybe if we are so set on receiving the prize, we will succeed. However, if we merely think of what will happen if we complete the task, rather than how we complete the task, the result might be proficient, but not advanced, so to speak. If we get it done, we get the reward – no matter the quality or depth of the product. It’s because our focus is just on getting it done, rather than the opportunities and possibilities that come with being handed a task. On another note, I did not completely understand the candle problem. It makes sense in the way that in order to succeed, one may need to expand the boundaries of possibilities, rather than immediately lean toward the expected conclusion. Pink mentioned that everyone had their own version of the candle problem. This made sense to me without even having to completely understand it. I am, however, trying to figure out what is my candle problem. I’m suspecting a have a few. It’s also quite interesting that scientific results showed that the higher the incentives, the more poor the performance. I’m thinking this may have to do with the fact that the mind is so overwhelmed and so consumed with getting it right, that it may miss the point overall.

2.     Pink has effective speaking techniques. One of the most notable is the change of the sound level of his voice. Often times during his presentation, Pink’s voice would suddenly raise, and in addition, his gestures would increase. It is almost impossible to cease to realize that he cares about what he talked about – which, actually, was the whole point of his presentation overall. In addition, he sometimes laughed at himself and the points he was making to the audience. This seemed to be effective to me, primarily because it gave me the feeling that he believed so much in what he said that he couldn’t believe it. I knew he enjoyed it. When it is obvious that a speaker enjoys what they talk about, the audience has a desire to understand and feel the joy of the concept.

3.     Pink’s presentation was aided with visuals and of typed information. This was extremely effective when describing the candle problem, as such a situation might be better to imagine when provided with a visual. In addition, scientific data collected about motivation, rewards, and results was typed and presented in simple terms to the audience. This enabled the point to be read and most likely, for visual learners in the audience, understood. I have found it helpful for somewhat complicated results or concepts to be simplified and put in front of me, as I then remember it better. Also, Pink used a hint of story and creativity in his presentation – he pretended he was a lawyer. He referred to the audience as the “ladies and gentleman of the jury,” and closed with “I rest my case.” This method brought comedy into the presentation and appeared to be clever. The use of the acting, or story, may have been of aid to members in the audience. By presenting as a “lawyer,” Pink essentially told the audience that he took his idea as seriously as a lawyer would her case – with a twist of humor.

4.     What I feel mostly matters in this video is the idea that things should be doen because they matter and that they are cared about. I have actually realized that things should get done because we believe them to be important, and because we care about them. This might be one concept that I completely believe, because in all the world, in all that is possible to do, I become extremely overwhelmed. However, thinking of it in these broader terms, looking beyond the facts, I feel that I am at peace with what I know. This concept is vital to education and to the world because, once again, people live their lives. They fill the world. If things are happening only because the person expects something in return, what does that teach our children, and how does it impact the way in which we interact with one another and form relationships? What would happen to the however apparent nature of humans to do things because it matters? On another personal level – scientific results showed that the higher the incentives, the more poor the performance. I’m thinking this may have to do with the fact that the mind is so overwhelmed and so consumed with getting it right, that it may miss the point overall. For example, I become overwhelmed easily. Sometimes I have to slow down and stop worrying about everything I want to get done in order to do it. Sometimes when I make myself relax prior to tests, I do well. I believe that we need to think about what is possible instead of what we get, and we need to think about why we do the things that we do.

Ted Talk Response #2 Benjamin Wallace

Price of Happiness

1. My take-aways from this video are, of course, how ridiculous some things in the world are. Examples of real life material objects that were presented by Wallace astounded me. The title, "Price of Happiness," combined with the examples provided by Wallace really made me wonder - is that what it takes to be happy? The higher the price, the higher the happiness? If this is the reality... it is extremely saddening. One would wonder of the roots of happiness and what causes true, real, happiness, and hopefully people would come to mind. Friends and family, people one cares about are what causes happiness - or what should. It is so unfortunate to face the fact that people think of money when they think of happiness, rather than the people who surround them - yet I know there are people like this. Mrs. Cornils told us in class of a friend she has that lives in Texas. Apparently he has a car for each season, and in the garage there is a mechanical hand that takes off the roof of the Jeep. Each member of the family has their own media room, and each child (there are two) has their own nanny. However, then Mrs. Cornils said that she knows for a fact that she loves her job way more than her friend loves his. This really affected me - this idea of doing what you love. If you do, at the end of the day, I wonder: wouldn't you rather be truly happy and love what you do, or would you rather have enormous amounts of material things, and not love what you do? To me, this question is a no-brainer. To someone else, the answer might look quite different. And some might have to ponder this question for a while. I admit that many people would not see a problem in buying ridiculously priced items - the more expensive, the better! With today's media - movies, television shows, and magazines all documenting celebrities and fame, there is a common feeling that one might need to be rich to be happy. I have felt confusion and frustration concerning the subject. However, if asked the question that I asked above, I know that my mind might wonder to extravagant, expensive items - but I also know that the center of myself would ultimately answer for me - a conclusion having to do with love and happiness, not material goods. This is comforting to myself. In addition, the statistics mentioned by Wallace at the end of his presentation hit me, but did not necessarily surprise me. People, when faced with wines with false price tags, claimed to have enjoyed the supposedly more expensive wine than the other, although the price of this wine was in reality much lower than it claimed to be. MRI tests were done while the people tested the wines - and even they showed that the brain felt more pleasure with this falsely-priced wine. It makes me think - are we that hung up on money that we have fooled our brains too?

2. Wallace had effective speaking techniques - one of the most notable the inflection of his voice. One might not consider him to be a particularly intriguing speaker, however, inflection heard in his voice seemed to interest the audience even with his apparent calmness. It seemed that he enjoyed reflecting on his experiences, which made the audience enjoy them as well.

3. Wallace's presentation style was extremely visual. He showed photographs of each item he presented with the important information underneath - like the price, instead of reading it aloud. The visual aid to his presentation made sense, as it is easier to understand the idea associated with the product when you are able to see it with your own eyes. In addition, he showed the photograph, and waited a few seconds to have the price appear. This is effective, as it allows the audience to make a guess as to the price of the item - and when the actual price appeared, it made it all the more astonishing after being able to soak in the appearance of the item. One more aspect, also visual, about Wallace's presentation style was the occasional photograph purely in the interest of comedy. When a dog is pictured lounging with and using these extremely expensive items, the point of the presentation is driven even further. It also provides a break from incredible information and keeps the audience entertained and interested. In addition, Wallace described his experience of testing an item out and reflected on it. This gave the audience insight to the reality of the product. However, for other items, Wallace presented the item and the price, and took a moment or two of silence. This enabled the audience to form their own opinion and view of the item.

4. This video matters. Like mentioned in question one, in today's society, there is a pressure to be perfect and to be wealthy. There seems to be an obsession with material things. However, this video exposes the reality in having these sorts of items. What it does is show that the most expensive is not, in fact, what is always the best. This is such an essential aspect to understand - because when people become consumed by what they have rather than who they're with, there is a great probability that their lives will change - and not for the better. This matters to me due to personal experience. There have been issues in my life that have made me understand what I truly believe - that is, that people are most important and that to love, to really love, is one of many things that should be strived for. This video matters to education because, again, people today are influenced by media. I believe that education exists for life - and the ideas presented in this video are something to consider deciding how to live one's life - and in deciding who one is. Finally, going off of that last point, this video is important to the world for similar reasons - people fill the world. People are the world. It is vital that we have understanding of reasons why we are here and what we can do.

Ted Talk Response #1 Sir Ken Robinson

1.    1.  What I first took away from this video is how I felt like I knew where Sir Ken Robinson was coming from. Many of my thoughts recently have been similar to his that he expressed. I also took away this somewhat new perspective of children – the way in which he described them: hopeful, already creative… it really made me think. When we think of kids we think of Crayola markers and scribbles… but he mentioned this idea of not being afraid of being wrong. This made me think of what is wrong and what is right, and it made me consider what we are taught today.

2.     2. Sir Ken Robinson has many effective speaking techniques. Obviously, he is quite funny and likes to interact with the audience and make them laugh. In addition, he laughs at himself as well, making his level of relaxation and ease increase, which in turn makes the audience feel more comfortable and more involved... like they want to be talked with. I also noticed how when he described a concept, he used the pronoun “we,” which tells the audience that he is one of them and that he feels a connection to what he speaks about.

3.     3. Sir Ken Robinson’s presentation style is completely relaxed. He does not move around, but this is made up for because he brings in personal experiences and funny examples to keep the audience interested at all times. The presentation appears to be rehearsed and practiced – but only in the sense of the information presented. It is possible to note, however, that every aspect of the presentation was probably rehearsed, not just the informational piece. The key is that Sir Ken brings in funny stories used as examples in such a way that it seems he had just remembered them… as if they weren’t a part of the original scripted presentation. This works wonders on the audience because they feel connected with the speaker due to his relaxation and his personal connections. Examples drawn from reality make it easier to get a point across. In addition, Sir Ken expresses concepts without completely telling the audience what to think. There is a moment used to draw in the audience, to make them understand, and most importantly… room to let them think about the concept.

4.     4. What matters from this video is the concepts presented. Like mentioned above, each concept did not appear to be telling the audience what exactly to think – but each concept appeared to express one different view of reality. Each aspect of the presentation had importance in itself. This video connects to me personally in the ways in which I felt I had had similar thoughts. Often I think of college entrance and what it means to be intelligent. In the sense of education and the world, this video matters because of people. People are all different. It is important to consider exactly what is being taught – and what exactly is considered right or successful - in order to realize that what it appears to be may not be what it actually is.