Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach's Ted Talks

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Comment by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach on October 2, 2008 at 10:59pm

Thanks David- I appreciate feedback.

1. Speaking slower--well that is a problem and has been a problem during 15 years of national and international presentations, but for some reason they keep having me back. :) I usually warn my audience to strp in and listen fast- putting responsibility on the learner.
I think this was even more difficult during this clip because I had to get it right on the first take -as I thought I would be delivering this in person (didn't know I would become ill) and it had to be done in one evening. Plus I wanted to put 20 min worth or ideas into what was suppose to be 10 min.. so it is probably even faster than usual.

2. If I implied that Zen was something that refers to China- sorry-- not my intent. Actually it was a tease where I was trying to find a cute way to say-- let's look at this in the now.. the reference to China was because it is what some consider a spiritual place and very different from the traditional day to day for me anyway-- I wasn't trying to establish a direct connection or historical significance. Pitiful attempt at humor-- sorry.

3. Knowledge in terms of management of knowledge does indeed increase and decrease.
"In the nineteenth century, it took about fifty years to double the world's knowledge. Today, the base of knowledge doubles in less than a year." http://www.emory.edu/TEACHING/Report/AppendixD.html

"We're all striving to keep up with the quantum leaps being made in all areas of knowledge. It's estimated that medical knowledge, for example, doubles every seven years, and scientific knowledge doubles every twenty years. The total written knowledge in the world is said to have doubled between 1450 and 1750, and then to have doubled again between 1750 and 1900. Between 1900 and 1950, human knowledge doubled once more, and then again from 1950 to 1975. Now, it is believed to double every 900 days. By the year 2020, global knowledge is predicted to double every 72 days!" http://web.uncg.edu/dcl/web/about/about_dean.asp

"Never stop learning; knowledge doubles every fourteen months." -- Anthony J. D'Angelo

http://www.jimcarroll.com/10s/10education.htm

http://newsfan.typepad.co.uk/does_human_knowledge_doub/2007/07/human-knowledge.html

You get the point.

Comment by ddeubel on September 22, 2008 at 8:50pm

Sheryl,

You say some poignant things but you need to think about how you say them.....

Meaning, speak slower. Give people time to think and let the emotion work for you - not against you. Pausing is powerful and shows confidence.... I don't say this negatively or without having thought about your substantive points. I say it because is so distracts from everything that is right about what you say. I also say this as a teacher.....

I will also add that change does happen one student at a time....now or 20 years ago. "the dog barks, the caravan passes" said Rumi....

PS. Zen is not something that originates or refers to China.
PPS. Knowledge does not double. Knowledge is a subject specific trait. Whether it be by neuron or silicon.

David

Comment by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach on September 20, 2008 at 11:09am

Thanks Philippe! We are definitely in total agreement on this one. I look forward to seeing how you help to implement the change. Be transparent, share, and help us all learn from you as you push the envelope.

Comment by Philippe Lane on September 20, 2008 at 10:16am

Thank you Sheryl for your keynote speech!

Just like you I got into teaching to make a difference but sometimes wonder how much of a difference I am really making. I remember at last year's conference discussing with you exactly what you are talking about in your speech: "What can teachers do now to bring about change and most importantly what does that change look like?"

We can't afford to wait for policies to change but rather we have to start implementing those changes immediately and prove to policy makers that following our passions is a much more powerful learning motivator than any well written curriculum.

Thank you for addressing this issue! Thank you also for giving teachers a vision and challenging them to start changing the world right now!

Philippe Lane