This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Many kids hate school. There is little captivating about writing a paper that will be thrown in the garbage after a grade is written on it with a red pen. There is not much real-world application found by sitting in rows in complete silence, being released from class by a factory bell, and listening to someone talk for an hour about topics that have no relevance to your current and future life. This method of education was created for a period in history that has long passed; yet this is exactly what one sees in the majority of American schools. Education needs to be authentic. School should not just apply to the real world, but actually be the real world. Everything a student does in a classroom should have purpose: tangible, community-altering, authentic purpose. Authenticity creates engagement, engagement creates better students, and better students create better citizens. Authenticity also creates better test scores, if you are into that sort of thing.
Trevor understands how to make lessons relevant to today's youth. Teacher, storyteller, and spoken-word poet Trevor Muir teaches at Kent Innovation High School, a project-based learning school that uses integrated technology, collaboration, and hands-on learning to model a more effective way of doing education—all without textbooks.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)