TED Conversations

Laszlo Kereszturi
Oradea
Romania

TED Attendee TED Translator Associate Language Coordinator

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

What is the conversion rate of 100 TEDCREDs? Is TED University possible?

While searching for a question worth debating, I stumbled upon TED Partnerships site Press page and read this:

"TED is in the process of creating something brand new. I would go so far as to argue that it's creating a new Harvard" - quote from Fast Company, September 1, 2010.

I like this quote and suggest to read the article.

Scenario 1.
I'm sure many teachers / schools already use TED resources for school projects, on science or social subjects. Is it possible to convert TEDCREDs to classic education's "official" credits?

Scenario2.
TEDCREDs will be used by TED University and will lead to a diploma?

Do you agree with any of these scenarios?

Or:

Gathering TEDCREDs -- using TED resources for educational activity -- will remain only a hobby and has no direct value for education?

Thank you for your opinions.

*************
Errors in this form:
Word count is misleading.

Related Talks:

Topics: credits education revolution wisdom

Closing Statement from Laszlo Kereszturi

TED University is possible and desired.
TEDCred has to improve in order to be accepted as an "oficial credit". But maybe this is not necessary.

Highlights from debate:

Kristine Sargsyan: "TED is a fantastic educational system for non formal education "

Colleen Steen : "Whether the TEDcreds get converted to education credit, lead to a diploma, or it remains only a hobby for some, it continues to provide direct value for education for many of us. "

Kate Gotziaman: "For me TED is so special because no one is marking you, it’s just pure learning."

James McBennett: "TEDCred puts a preferable system with much longer term vision of credit throughout one's life, not just peaking for 4 years of college."

Sort By:

Colleen Steen 500+
- +1
Feb 24 2011: Anything is possible:>) We've already seen many classes participating on the TED sites, so it seems like another small step to get some kind of accreditation. Whether or not TED evolves in that way, the presentations are providing information for good discussions in many classes. I introduced TED to a grade school teacher friend, and she uses some of the TED presentations in her classes. I am aware of college level classes using TED, so the talks obviously fill a broad spectrum of interests and education. Whether the TEDcreds get converted to education credit, lead to a diploma, or it remains only a hobby for some, it continues to provide direct value for education for many of us. It apparently is already all of the above, and it's only a matter of time before that is more broadly recognized:>)
Lee Wilkinson 20+
- 0
Feb 23 2011: When I was a Manager for Domino's Pizza in my younger day, it was said that to become a manager (It meant something in the 80s) you would have completed the equivalent of a Bachelors Degree, so I guess I have a degree in Pizzarology. Surely if that were true the a degree from TED would be a prize on anybodies Resume. No wait there's a problem, I think the fun factor of 100% might not sit right with the education system. I mean isn't education supposed to be hard and dare I say, boring?
Kristine Sargsyan 500+
- +1
TED Attendee TED Translator TEDx Organizer Associate Language Coordinator

Feb 17 2011: What is it about TED that makes people to learn, doesn’t matter who old we are, what positions we have or what type of backgrounds come from? Sometimes I think TED is what we are in reality. IT is the reflection of our hidden self. This is what is unique about TED. It is what it encourages in each of us. It encourages us to be what we are, to believe in ourselves and to show our work toward our dreams and goals. This is how TED is different from many Universities, which often force us the match to the same standards to get a diploma. TED is a fantastic educational system for non formal education and I enjoy it as it is :)
- Lee Wilkinson 20+
  - 0
  Feb 23 2011: It's the willingness to give and to learn. It's the opportunity have a heated debate without it dissolving into a name calling fiasco. It's the pure joy of watching as peoples real lives unfold in front of you with passion and creativity. And for me most importantly it's being part of a collective conscience that wants to change for the greater good. Who would not want to go to a school or university that operated like that? How inspiring would that be?
  
  It teaches us about life through the eyes of people who have lived it.
Kate Gotziaman 50+
- +1
TEDx Organizer

Feb 17 2011: I think that the things people learn become a part of them in a way that is more valuable then any official credit. As a high school student I spend so much time proving that I really am learning material and being marked on it that sometimes getting credit for learning gets in the way of actual learning. While there would be many advantages to receiving credit for something so many people already love, I’m worried that adding credit might detract from what makes TED Talks unique compared to other forms of education. For me TED is so special because no one is marking you, it’s just pure learning.
Robert Schueler
- 0
Feb 17 2011: A free 'Ted University' is way past visioning by millions. When a system is created to account for the creative individual unique passionate character of LOVING the art of learning...into a system of life long educational experience accountability...Ted University will be the' Harvard' of learning excellence.

And all those antiquated learning institutions will have to be transformed into ' adult transitional PARTY CENTERS ' which will bring them back into economic value systems of exchange.
James McBennett 500+
- +1
TEDx Organizer

Feb 15 2011: I think the academic rating system is out of date coming from a model where you go to university for 4 years, learn everything you need to know, go into the workforce and apply it.

TEDCred puts a preferable system with much longer term vision of credit throughout one's life, not just peaking for 4 years of college.

A system where TEDCred is for comments only is not that interesting, but if it can be made into a system where giving the cred more meaning as in recent changes, it could hold weight in public opinion. (As the lowest TEDCred person commenting in this forum, I feel as if I should have a certain respect for those who have commented already.)
- Laszlo Kereszturi 500+
  - 0
  TED Attendee TED Translator Associate Language Coordinator
  
  Feb 15 2011: I fully agree with your second phrase.
  A well designed TEDCRED system may be more appropriate for "lifelong education".
Kat Haber 500+
- +1
TED Attendee TEDx Organizer Associate

Feb 15 2011: What can one do with a TED diploma that one could not do without one?
- Chris Ke-Sihai 200+
  - +2
  TEDx Organizer
  
  Feb 15 2011: What can one do with any diploma that one could not do without it? In many cases, the diploma proves nothing other than having sat through X many talks (or books0 and submitted Y amount of words in response. And yet, for some reason, people spend huge amounts of money to get them.
  
  A diploma from a 'recognised' institution opens doors, proves something to someone about the holder of the diploma. Diplomas purchased online generally count for very little. It all depends on how people perceive the quality of the process behind the diploma.
  
  A well-designed TED program, validated and endorsed by names people trust, would have meaning. It would be currency that could be used to get a better job, college place, or whatever.
  
  On the one hand, it would be an external motivator - something that educators generally disapprove of these days. On the other hand, it *might* have a perceived value in the eyes of parents, teachers, etc. who would otherwise insist that the student did something more "useful" than watch TED ltalks online.
Emily McManus 200+
- +1
TED Staff Host TED Attendee

Feb 13 2011: This is something we think about a lot. Some of the questions that come up -- and I'd love your thoughts: What would be some interesting ways to measure this accomplishment? If you were an employer, what would you think if someone listed relevant TEDTalks on a resume? Sorry to answer with more questions, but I'm very curious what this forum thinks!
- Laszlo Kereszturi 500+
  - +2
  TED Attendee TED Translator Associate Language Coordinator
  
  Feb 14 2011: One or many TEDTalks listed on a resume would not impress me, nor an employer.
  
  But listing of accomplishing a "TED Discovery Program" or a "TED for Your Future Program" on a resume worth consideration.
  I think TED should offer partnerships tailored specially for kids, students, teachers, etc.
  
  A Ken Robinson and others inspired "TED Discovery Program" may help kids to discover their hidden talents.
  A Barry Schwartz and others inspired "TED for Your Future Program" may help students to better understand democracy, politics, diversity, etc.
  
  These programs may include a "curriculum" made from:
  - watching a number of TED Talks from 6 out of 10 knowledge areas (I'll define "knowledge areas" later)
  - researching the background materials about the subject and the speaker
  - making comments on the selected talks
  - writing an essay or making a video expressing opinions about the selected talks (or even am art performance?)
  - posting the essay or the video and gathering reviews from TED community
  - a small community project, if applicable
  - short talk in a TEDx or at school/ college, if applicable,
  ...
  - a final "diploma" (paper or PDF), which may also be shown as a link and put on a CV.
  
  Each program should have its curriculum, deadline, deliverables and (volunteer?) tutors, mentors.
  The "TED you name it program" interface should guide the candidate during the program.
  Existing TEDCREDs may be used or another type of credits should be introduced.
  
  "Knowledge areas" - these are now missing from TED categories.
  We have now Themes and these do not overlap with traditional education subjects.
  This may not be an issue, maybe it is an advantage.
  But there are not enough details inside a Theme.
  
  For example Science. I can't choose now easily all talks about or related to Mathematics.
  Yes, I know there are tags, but they are not leveraged.
  If I go to Themes Tags and select Architecture (3) it shows no talks.
  
  Maybe we should start such TED program ideas as distinct conversations.
- Chris Ke-Sihai 200+
  - +3
  TEDx Organizer
  
  Feb 15 2011: I mentioned to a friend a while back that my TEDCRED had passed 100, and he looked at me quizzically and then said "does that actually mean anything to you?"
  
  At the end of the day, it's just a popularity rating. It doesn't mean that you've done anything in particular other than post enough nice comments on TED that you've garnered some positive votes. I don't think that TEDCRED itself really counts for anything.
  
  To have given a talk at TED would count for something, as it's an external validation of your ahcievements/contributions.
  
  Laszlo's ideas make a lot of sense.
  - Laszlo Kereszturi 500+
    
    0
    TED Attendee TED Translator Associate Language Coordinator
    
    Feb 15 2011: Another, possible connected idea here:
    
    http://www.ted.com/conversations/43/let_s_show_translated_ted_talk.html
    "Let’s show Translated TED talks at schools. Let’s engage local TED translators in retelling their favorite Ted talks for kids at schools." - by Kristine Sargsyan.
- Lee Wilkinson 20+
  - +1
  Feb 23 2011: I would give that person extra credit just for listing TED on their Resume.
Sabin Muntean 30+
- +1
Host Associate

Feb 13 2011: Although I find the new improved CRED system a great addition to the site providing hardworking and inspiring members with a certain "reward", I wouldn't go as far and think about CRED having any use outside the TED community. I also have a difficult time thinking of any way a conversion or any exterior use could be possible.
It somehow feels like mentioning your eBay star count in your CV as proof for your reliability and sense of responsability.
- Laszlo Kereszturi 500+
  - 0
  TED Attendee TED Translator Associate Language Coordinator
  
  Feb 14 2011: Yes, you are right. Existing TEDCRED is not enough.
  
  But in the near future we should get used to such unexpected proofs of reliability or trust.
  Just thinking about "Rachel Botsman: The case for collaborative consumption" at 15:13 ...
  
  "Now mark my words, it's only a matter of time before we're going to be able to perform a Google-like search and see a cumulative picture of our reputation capital. And this reputation capital will determine our access to collaborative consumption. It's a new social currency, so to speak, that could become as powerful as our credit rating."
  
  Why not develop TEDCRED to such a new social currency, applicable in education?

Showing all 17 comments

Sign In

To join or start a conversation, you'll need to sign in. Not a member? Register Now (it's free and fast).

Live Conversations

Live Conversations are hosted by TED speakers and TED Fellows. Ask your questions and participate in the discussions on the following dates and times: