Four very rich websites

Four web sites chock full of the newest ideas in education and other fields which are coming in video and mp3 formats. Remember that curiosity about ideas and creations in unfamiliar fields is one of the proven keys to success in one own's field:

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader. The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).

Try this video of Richard Pyle about finding new species on the coral reef.

PopTech is a network of remarkable people, extraordinary conferences, powerful ideas, and innovative projects that are changing the world. Pop!Tech’s community is eclectic – intellectually, creatively, politically and culturally. But its folks share some common values. The folks who both produce and participate in Pop!Tech passionately believe:
That individuals and small groups have the power to shape the future
That all of us together are smarter than any of us alone
That good ideas should trump ideologies – whether on the Left or Right
That robust debate is the sign of a community’s health
That tomorrow will be more surprising than today
That progress is possible.

Try this video of Thomas Friedman about going green and the energy crisis


Entitled Opinions is like NPR on steroids. Produced by Stanford University, it features downloadable weekly interviews of artists, thinkers, advocates of worthy causes, scholars, writers, scientists, and other people of Nobel caliber. The interviewer, Robert Harrison, makes smart connections from one weekly topic to the other ones, never dumbs down an issue while asking the right questions allowing a general public to follow the interviewee, and makes you feel part of this community of world-class creative people.

Try the interview of Vinton Cerf, co-founder of Google (look it up under Nov 11, 2008).

Edutopia is the magazine, Web site, and video documentaries published by The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF). Founded in 1991 by filmmaker George Lucas, the Foundation documents and disseminates information about exemplary programs in K-12 schools to help spread these practices nationwide.

See Ben Johnson’s blog on Differenciated Instruction and student success

Jude