Video Picks from July 2010
Here’s the archive of links to VideoAmy’s educational video picks from July 2010.
July Favorites
Taylor Mali: What Teachers Make
Slam poet and former classroom teacher Taylor Mali gives a spirited and passionate answer to the cocktail-party question "What do teachers make?" A note of caution -- he uses a few choice words that may not be for everybody -- you'll want to watch this one at home! (Source: Taylor Mali)
Have you heard of Scraper Bikes? A few years ago, this rap video on YouTube earned nearly 3 million views and propelled the tiny grassroots group into a national sensation. The non-profit was started by a young man who hoped to give urban kids a safe place to be creative -- so long as they kept their grades up. Here's a great article on GOOD for some more context. (Source: California is a Place)
In this poignant, funny follow-up to his fabled 2006 talk, Sir Ken Robinson makes the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning -- creating conditions where kids' natural talents can flourish. (Source: TED Talks)
Previously featured: July 30, 2010
Scrapertown: Capturing the Creativity of Urban Youth
Have you heard of Scraper Bikes? A few years ago, this rap video on YouTube earned nearly 3 million views and propelled the tiny grassroots group into a national sensation. The non-profit was started by a young man who hoped to give urban kids a safe place to be creative -- so long as they kept their grades up. Here's a great article on GOOD for some more context. (Source: California is a Place)
Too busy to travel this summer? Check out Meet Me at the Corner, a website that features interviews and virtual field trip podcasts -- by kids, for kids. This video centers on a harpsichord player at Julliard. They also offer a great how-to series for kids who want to submit their own podcasts. (Source: Meet Me at The Corner)
July 31st is the first annual National Dance Day, launched by the Dizzy Feet Foundation. Can dance be more than an entertaining and fun extra-curricular activity? In this short film, a young ballerina makes the case that dance can in fact help enhance academic success. (Source: YouTube User emaballerina22)
Previously featured: July 23, 2010
New Spice: Study Like a Scholar, Scholar
After last week's social media marketing coup by Old Spice, parodies were inevitable. My favorite is this excellent one by Brigham Young University's Harold B. Lee Library Multimedia Unit. Check their blog for behind-the-scenes footage. (Source: HBLL's YouTube Channel)
It's nearly August, and some thoughts are turning to Back-to-School. Have you considered your classroom seating plan, and how that could affect the way your students learn? This short, fun podcast, produced by two pre-service teachers, explores desk arrangements. Check out this Edutopia article for more about seating. (Source: YouTube User foodcraftlife)
July 24th is Amelia Earhart's birthday. What better way to celebrate her than to learn about Kimberly Anyadike, the inspirational young woman who, just over a year ago at age fifteen, became the world's youngest African-American female pilot to do a round-trip transcontinental flight. Find out more about Anyadike here. (Source: Mantis Media for WTKR in Norfolk,VA)
Previously featured: July 16, 2010
Taylor Mali: What Teachers Make
Slam poet and former classroom teacher Taylor Mali gives a spirited and passionate answer to the cocktail-party question "What do teachers make?" A note of caution -- he uses a few choice words that may not be for everybody -- you'll want to watch this one at home! (Source: Taylor Mali)
A great video about the not-so-pristine truth behind the bottled water industry that will make you run out to buy a refillable bottle. If you haven't seen The Story of Stuff, the original 20-minute film about consumerism, it's pretty amazing and informative. Also available in Spanish! (Source: Story of Stuff)
Nicola Tesla is surely one of American history's greatest and most under-recognized inventors. This brief biography was written, voiced, animated, drawn, and completed by animator Jeremiah Warren in under 36 hours to celebrate Tesla's birthday last week on July 10th. (Source: Jeremiah Warren)
Previously featured: July 9, 2010
Did You Know 4.0 (Shift Happens)
Here's the fourth official update to the "Shift Happens" video. This version from the fall of 2009 includes facts and stats focused on the changing media landscape, including convergence and technology, and was developed in partnership with The Economist. The content was created by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod, design and development by XPLANE. Check out the previous versions as well. (Source: Shift Happens)
Writer and teacher Clay Shirky looks at "cognitive surplus" -- the shared, online work we do with our spare brain cycles. While we're busy editing Wikipedia, posting to Ushahidi (and yes, making LOLcats), we're building a better, more cooperative world. (Source: TED Talks)
Twitter is one of the most powerful social media tools and Web 2.0 applications available. For teachers hoping to share short pieces of information, including links to places outside of their own technology classroom, Twitter is the perfect Web 2.0 application. This how-to video illustrates how to register and begin working with Twitter in 5 minutes. (Source: Learn It In 5)
Previously featured: July 2, 2010
Schoolhouse Rock! Fireworks
First aired in 1977, this classic cartoon recounts the history of our Fourth of July celebrations. School House Rock was an animated series of musical and educational films that aired during Saturday morning children's programming on the ABC television network. (Source: Schoolhouse Rock)
This week marked the ISTE 2010 (International Society for Technology in Education) conference in Denver. Couldn't attend? You can find resources through ISTE Connects and videos of various presentations on ISTEVision. (Source: YouTube User teachaboy)
PBS offers great teaching resources and supplemental information on the website that accompanies this award-winning 6-hour documentary mini-series from 1997. (Source: PBS)
Previously featured: June 25, 2010
Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the Learning Revolution!
In this poignant, funny follow-up to his fabled 2006 talk, Sir Ken Robinson makes the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning -- creating conditions where kids' natural talents can flourish. (Source: TED Talks)
Bestselling author, political adviser and social and ethical prophet Jeremy Rifkin investigates the evolution of empathy and the profound ways that it has shaped our development and our society. (Source: The RSA)
From cell phone and video games to Facebook and YouTube, digital media are changing the way young people play and socialize in the 21st century. In this video, education experts say digital technologies could transform the way kids learn and participate in their communities. (Source: The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation)
Share Your Favorite Education Videos
If you know of a must-see video, leave a comment here, email the URL to media@edutopia.org, or tweet a link to @VideoAmy on Twitter.com and I'll be sure to take a look. Note: Some videos may be preceded by brief ads; in some cases, free registration may be required; and news-sensitive links may expire over the next week.