My Ten Favorite Videos from 2010

2010 has been a rich year for thought provoking and engaging digital content for educators. Here's a list of my favorite videos that were posted this year:

1. RSA Animate - Drive - The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us (Daniel Pink)

Incentives and rewards don't work. Deep engagement requires autonomy, mastery, and purpose. DSS embedded staff collaboration time in to the schedule for this school year - will we see increases in innovation and creativity? Video also provokes discussion about common assessment practice.

2. RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms (Sir Ken Robinson)
We viewed this video during a staff meeting and invited staff to participate in a back-channel dialogue using Today's Meet. Convincing argument on why change is needed.

3. New Learning Institute - Project-Based Learning at High Tech High (Larry Rosenstock)
Really resonated with a second view at the BCSSA Conference in November. Love the focus on creativity, design, integration and relationships.

4. TEDxPuget Sound - How Great Leaders Inspire Action (Simon Sinek)
Sinek explains the importance of starting with "Why?" Purpose driven leadership ... "People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it?"  Law of diffusion of innovation explains change and the challenge of bringing innovation to scale.

5. TEDxKC - From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-Able (Michael Wesch)
Wesch, creator of 2007's A Vision of Students Today, explains the connection between media, relationships and culture. Era of new media requires us to go beyond critical thinking. Today's learners need to embrace real problems, collaborate, use relevant tools and create their own meaning.

6. First Follower: Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy (Derek Sivers)
Short video offers an entertaining and effective explanation of the change process and innovation. The first follower transforms the lone nut into a leader. Find a great idea and have the guts to join in! Sivers also gives a great speech to first year students at Berklee College of Music... a bonus must see! Click here.

7. TED2010 - Bring on the Learning Revolution (Sir Ken Robinson)
What top ten list could be complete without a TED Talk from education's rock star, Sir Ken Robinson? Shift learning to focus on talents and a personalized curriculum rather than standardized models. Hard to believe that it has been 4 years since Do Schools Kill Creativity?

8. TEDxUBC - Students Live!  Real World Learning at the 2010 Olympic/Paralympic Games (Chris Kennedy) One of many excellent presentations at TEDxUBC... how fortunate we are to have such impressive local talent. We used Chris' video as a conversation starter on project based learning at a recent department head meeting. Reassuring for most to note that good writing matters.

9. BBC Four - 200 Countries, 200 Years, 4 Minutes - The Joy of Stats (Hans Rosling)
Rosling brings statistics and history alive with this engaging short piece. The power of technology and story-telling ... pretty neat, huh?

10. TED - Teaching Design for Change (Emily Pilloton)
Thanks to DSS teacher, Kelly Richter, for this one. Pilloton tells the story of Bertie County, NC and how innovative design and creativity can be a catalyst for learning and change.


Honourable Mentions :
TED - The Child Driven Education (Sugata Mitra)
New Learning Institute - The Myths and Opportunities of Technology in the Classroom (Alan November) ... one of my favorites but it came out in late 2009

The year 2010 also saw the release of three feature length films on education. Each are must sees :) Lot's of discussion points!
Waiting for Superman - both acclaimed and controversial, this film looks at the failures of the US public education system through the eyes of several students and their families.
We are the People We've Been Waiting For - an examination of education in the UK and how it may be done differently.
Schooling the World - a challenging look at the impact of our system of education on indigenous cultures.



What are your favorites videos of 2010?