Online learning could change academia -- for good | Tyler Dewitt

Online learning could change academia -- for good | Tyler Dewitt

Author: TED March 18, 2021 Duration: 13:42
Higher education remains rooted in rigid, traditional structures and tracks -- and it's at risk of getting left behind in favor of expanded access, greater flexibility and tailored learning. Educator Tyler DeWitt explains how innovations in digital content and virtual reality are ushering in the future of learning, emphasizing why academia must adapt to this new reality and embrace an approach to education that works with students' needs -- not against them.

Ever wondered what the classroom of tomorrow might hold, or how a simple shift in teaching could unlock a student's potential? TED Talks Education brings those questions to the forefront, gathering insights directly from the people shaping learning itself. This podcast features voices from educators, neuroscientists, and innovators who have taken the stage at TED and TEDx events globally. Each episode is a deep dive into practical ideas and bold visions, moving beyond theory to explore how technology and new research are transforming the way we understand education. You'll hear stories that challenge conventional wisdom about how brains learn best and examine what it truly means to build a school that serves every learner. Curated by TED, a nonprofit focused on Ideas Worth Spreading, this series turns complex concepts into accessible conversations. It’s a direct line to the cutting edge of pedagogical thought, offering listeners not just inspiration but tangible frameworks for change. Whether you're a teacher seeking fresh strategies, a parent navigating your child's education, or simply curious about the future of knowledge, this podcast provides a compelling look at the ideas redefining learning for everyone.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 137

TED Talks Education
Podcast Episodes
Why massive open online courses (still) matter | Anant Agarwal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:02
2013 was a year of hype for MOOCs (massive open online courses). Great big numbers and great big hopes were followed by some disappointing first results. But the head of edX, Anant Agarwal, makes the case that MOOCs stil…
The magic of Fibonacci numbers | Arthur Benjamin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:07
Math is logical, functional and just ... awesome. Mathemagician Arthur Benjamin explores hidden properties of that weird and wonderful set of numbers, the Fibonacci series. (And reminds you that mathematics can be inspir…
The pursuit of ignorance | Stuart Firestein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:16
What does real scientific work look like? As neuroscientist Stuart Firestein jokes: It looks a lot less like the scientific method and a lot more like "farting around ... in the dark." In this witty talk, Firestein gets…
Why I fell in love with monster prime numbers | Adam Spencer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:59
They're millions of digits long, and it takes an army of mathematicians and machines to hunt them down -- what's not to love about monster primes? Adam Spencer, comedian and lifelong math geek, shares his passion for the…
How to escape education's death valley | Sir Ken Robinson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:54
Sir Ken Robinson outlines 3 principles crucial for the human mind to flourish -- and how current education culture works against them. In a funny, stirring talk he tells us how to get out of the educational "death valley…
Grit: The power of passion and perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:55
Leaving a high-flying job in consulting, Angela Lee Duckworth took a job teaching math to seventh graders in a New York public school. She quickly realized that IQ wasn't the only thing separating the successful students…
Our failing schools. Enough is enough! | Geoffrey Canada [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:50
Why, why, why does our education system look so similar to the way it did 50 years ago? Millions of students were failing then, as they are now -- and it’s because we’re clinging to a business model that clearly doesn’t…
My story, from gangland daughter to star teacher | Pearl Arredondo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:46
Pearl Arredondo grew up in East Los Angeles, the daughter of a high-ranking gang member who was in and out of jail. Many teachers wrote her off as having a problem with authority. Now a teacher herself, she's creating a…
3 rules to spark learning | Ramsey Musallam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:12
It took a life-threatening condition to jolt chemistry teacher Ramsey Musallam out of ten years of "pseudo-teaching" to understand the true role of the educator: to cultivate curiosity. In a fun and personal talk, Musall…
Teachers need real feedback | Bill Gates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:04
Until recently, many teachers only got one word of feedback a year: "satisfactory." And with no feedback, no coaching, there's just no way to improve. Bill Gates suggests that even great teachers can get better with smar…