TED Talks Education

As a country, how can we better inspire our students — and support our educators? To explore ideas, TED, WNET, PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting teamed up for a brand-new one-hour special, funded by CPB's "American Graduate: Let's Make It Happen." TED Talks Education was an exhilarating night of talks hosted by John Legend.

TED Talks Education: Rita F. Pierson Rita F. Pierson

An educator since 1972, Rita F. Pierson says teacher-student connections are the key to keeping kids on track.
Watch the talk

TED Talks Education: Ramsey Musallam Ramsey Musallam

Chemistry teacher and host of the internet show Infinite Thinking Machine, Ramsey Musallam perplexes students -- in a good way.
Watch the talk

TED Talks Education: Angela Lee Duckworth Angela Lee Duckworth

Psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth studies grit, that little-understood factor which allows some kids to succeed, regardless of IQ.
Watch the talk

TED Talks Education: Bill Gates Bill Gates

The legendary technologist now focuses on philanthropy, looking for innovations to tackle the world’s toughest problems.
Watch the talk

TED Talks Education: Geoggrey Canada Geoffrey Canada

A passionate and outspoken education reformer, Geoffrey Canada spent 30 years running the Harlem Children’s Zone.
Watch the talk

TED Talks Education: Malcolm London Malcolm London

A young poet and activist from Chicago, Malcolm London was called the Gil-Scott Heron of this generation by Cornel West.
Watch the talk

TED Talks Education: Pearl Arredondo Pearl Arredondo

Pearl Arredondo established a pilot middle school that teaches students to be good communicators in the 21st century.
Watch the talk

TED Talks Education: John Legend John Legend

John Legend performs the song "True Colors," giving the lyrics extra resonance for both teachers and students.

TED Talks Education: Ken Robinson Sir Ken Robinson

The most-watched speaker on TED.com, this author, educator and creativity expert challenges us to radically rethink school systems.
Watch the talk


Host: John Legend
The nine-time Grammy winner works to break the cycle of poverty through the Show Me Campaign, dedicated to education for all.

From the blog

Join the conversation about #TEDTalksEd

Want to talk about education? Inspired by TED Talks Education, our one-hour TV special that aired on PBS night, and this morning’s batch of TED Talks, here’s a roundup of some ...
View all TED Talks Education posts

TED Talks Education, hosted by John Legend, premiered May 7, 2013 on PBS. Watch full-length versions of talks from the show right here.
Watch the one-hour special on PBS.org


Join the community on TED-Ed

TED-Ed is excited to launch a new section of the TED-Ed website called “TED-Ed Community.” The new area provides a dynamic space where teachers, students, and learners of all backgrounds can pitch lesson ideas and participate in a conversation about TED-Ed and Education at large.
Visit the TED-Ed community


TRH episode: Unstoppable Learning

Episode: Unstoppable Learning

In this week's episode of TED Radio Hour, we explore why we — adults — assume learning must be taught, tested and reinforced.
Listen now


Rita Pierson on TED Weekends

Connection makes learning stick

Sometimes it's so simple. Longtime educator, Rita Pierson, fired up the TED stage with this no-nonsense talk about how the secret to learning is right in front of us and shares a moving essay on TEDWeekends on the power of the human connection in the classroom. Pearson's humor is as potent as her prose.
Read her op-ed