Last TED Talk (except for mine) of the Year!

TED talk 8

For my eighth and last TED talk, I watched a talk about the new generation of reading online books on the Iphone and Ipad.  Personally I prefer reading books out of paper or something that looks like paper such as the Kindle, but it is interesting to see technology working with books and learning.  To me, this TED talk was something of a letdown.  It was not very inspiring, the speaker was unenthusiastic and the technology did not seem awe-inspiring.  I do like the interactive quality of the technology, however, and think that it is not at all useless.  It just does not seem as amazing as most of the TED talks we have watched in class or some of the technology I have already seen on TED.com.

Mike Matas, the speaker of this particular TED talk does not seem particularly empathetic with the audience or excited to be talking in front of hundreds.  He voice and posture make him seem like he does not care to be here which is really a turn off for the audience.  His one effective technique is possibly his way of using visuals and of taping what he is doing for his peers.  Things I can learn from this speaker are what not to do in a TED talk.

Mr. Matas' presentation style was mostly video of what he was talking about.  Similar but not nearly the same as the Picha Kucha or Ignite technique.  Visuals are very important but an active and eager speaker is also necessary for a TED talk, and this aspect was clearly lacking.

This video matters not because it was the most inspiring talk I have ever seen, but because it shows a new generation of possible learning for the world.  It seems to be a more right-minded approach to teaching and might be available in the near future.  

TED talk 6- Dave Eggers

From this video, a new type of learning development is shown.  Dave Eggers starts a free tutoring company in the back of a pirate store.  It became volunteer work to help students with their school work.  This generosity is shown and gives light on natural human kindness and a want to help each other.  From this video I have learned the necessity to try your hardest for the good of mankind, not just yourself.

 One thing Eggers says in his video has to do with the pressure of being published to the world, much like we will be published with our own TED talks.  He talks about the how these students tried the hardest they have ever tried before.  It is somewhat like Dan Pink's drive novel but the drive for these people is not a reward but the happiness of giving.  It truly effects humanity and is somewhat contagious to others.  Mr. Eggers shows shops and other tutoring companies that opened up after this first pirate-tutoring shop.

 Mr. Eggers has a way of talking that sounds like a story.  He uses humor and examples to give his point throughout his presentation and it is very effective.  The audience laughs and applauds at appropriate times.  They truly enjoyed his presentation and I did as well.  If a speaker captivates his audience with what he is preaching, he does not necessarily have to be the best speaker.

This video matters because it gives hope to students and it gives incentive to teachers, and not just school teachers.  If anyone gives their time to help someone, they are a teacher and a motivator.   This giving of time instead of money is a new approach to generosity.

TED talk from Laura Trice about saying "Thank you"

While I was watching this TED talk I realized that most of the TED talks I have watched have not dealt with true human emotion.  To hear someone talk about a topic she so truly believed in was inspirational in its own way.  My take aways from this video are to make sure I thank people for the little things in life and make sure I appreciate when people thank me.


This speaker's effective techniques were relating to herself and what matters to her.  By showing her emotions, she is a much more relatable person and is a much more effective speaker.  During my TED talk, which will be about having faith in all aspects of life, I will try to relate to people. I think showing emotions to people is a key part of a successful TED talk.


Ms. Trice's presentation style was humble in a way.  She did not have any back-drops or pictures, she just talked to the audience. It was a fairly short TED talk, about the length of time I will have in class to present my own TED talk.  Although she had limited time, she got her point across and it felt very good to see a shorter TED talk than the other ones I have seen.


This video matters because of the message it gives to all people. Something I did not notice in my other TED talks was an option on the bottom of the screen.  It was a language selector.  This 4-minute presentation was available in 32 different languages!  This matters to the world because it is truly a universal message.