How to Assign TED-style Talks in the Classroom & Set Your Students Up for Future Success
As promised last week, in this post I’ve provided the materials I created to help prepare my students for their TED-style talks (it also doesn’t hurt to have a few copies of Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo on hand- I have 3 copies that I bring to the classroom for student use).
I’ve also included some announcements I had sent out to encourage reflection of their speeches, and to encourage them to take action with other public speaking opportunities throughout college and in their future careers.
TED Talk Preparation Guidelines
In class, to understand what preparing and presenting a TED talk feels like:
Watch clips of Brene Brown’s TED talks:
The Power of Vulnerability (up to 1:10)
Listen to Shame (up to 4:00)
Listen to The Tim Ferriss Show podcast episode, “Brene Brown on Vulnerability” as she discusses her experience giving a TED talk (start at 8:20 and end at 12:50)
For homework:
Read “Assigning Students a TED-style talk”
Link: https://ltlatnd.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/assigning-students-a-ted-style-talk/
Watch the video TEDx@TEDGlobal- June Cohen- What Makes a Great TED talk
Watch other TED talks to get a feel for how it’s done
Read portions of your borrowed copy of Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo (see me if you’d like to borrow one)
Prepare your own 3-5 minute TED talk
Rehearse in whatever way works for you
“Be awesome, have fun”
(But still, no cursing- sorry)
*Keep in mind, you will be recording your in-class presentation with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
More Preparation for Your TED Talk: Life Goals Activity (Optional brainstorming activity at home)
Watch Reprogramming Your Brain to Overcome Fear: Olympia LePoint at TEDxPCC
What are 3 things you want to do (career, life goal, dream, etc.) after college? Name 1 obstacle for each. Name 1 thing you’re scared of for each
While you’re preparing to reach your goal, or in the process of reaching your goal, remember:
- Name your fear and reject it
- Reframe your thoughts
- Take action
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After my students started presenting their TED talks- some of the best student speeches I’ve ever seen in my life- I sent out the following announcements to push them even further. If/when you do a similar activity in your classroom, you’re welcome to follow up with a copy and pasted (and slightly edited) version of my own announcements below.
I give you full permission to use it if you think it would work well with your students, and if you’d enjoy coaching your former students in the future (I know I always enjoy it!).
Subj: If you ever do an official TED or TEDx talk
Hi everyone,
I made the announcement to some of you, but for those of you who I didn’t mention this to, if you ever get the urge to do an actual TEDx talk for a city, organization, or university, I’m always willing to coach you (even if it’s 5 years from now).
As college students with tons of potential, a TEDx talk would do a world of good for you; it’d be a huge selling point on your resume, enhance your professional social media presence, and just be a major life accomplishment in general. You could probably even use the recording of your classroom TED talk (or an impressive clip of it) as part of your submission packet for the real deal.
I have coached former students who now speak at conferences and have reached out to me via email. We’ve communicated via email and/or meetings at coffee shops, so it doesn’t have to be anything formal, I just wanted to offer it.
So again, just putting it out there. You can always contact me at my gmail account.
See you all Friday!
Mrs. Ebanks
Subj.: Speeches on YouTube
Hi everyone,
After seeing so many inspiring and mind-blowing TED talks this past week, I decided that If you put the recording of your TED talk on YouTube and email the link and the title to me sometime this semester, I’d love to provide my future students with some great sample speeches. No pressure!
Have a good weekend.
Mrs. Ebanks
Subj.: Small 5 point reflection activity
Hi everyone,
For homework over the weekend I’d like you read pages 72 through 95 of The 3-Step Speech. Focus mostly on pages 86-91.
I just want you to answer 3 questions; it can be handwritten or typed. You can answer each question in 1-2 sentences. We’ll discuss them in class Monday, and I’ll collect them for 5 points.
Here are the questions:
How can you get value from your next speech, and/or how did you get value from your TED talk? (p. 89)
In what ways do you think public speaking might play a role in your life’s accomplishments, now or later in life? (p. 91)
I also want you to consider in what ways you might take you public speaking skills/recorded presentations to the next level in the future, and how can this help your future career? (p. 89).
Let me know if you all have any questions. See you next class!
Mrs. Ebanks
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Let me reiterate, this was my first time incorporating TED-style talks into the classroom, so I’ll most likely keep adjusting the directions and materials. It certainly wasn’t perfect the first time around.
However, I feel that my students could leave the semester now as public speaking experts, and that’s something I’m completely satisfied with.
If you’d like more advice about incorporating TED-style talks into your classroom, feel free to contact me at erin@happyprofessor.com. Happy teaching!