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About Me

David is an educator who is consumed by the idea of improving our educational landscape. To him, learning is not something forced but rather an exploration that should be driven by being inquisitive, passionate, and a problem solver. In order to create such a learning environment, David focuses his energy on the intersection of creativity, learning spaces, instructional models, and the power of technology in shaping the future of education.

David was curator of TEDxNYED and is currently curating TEDxSFED. Both events focus on improving the current status of education. In addition, David runs Prototype Design Camp, which teaches students how to use the design process to solve problems in their communities.

Location:
United States, San Francisco, CA
Current organization:
Urban School of San Francisco
Current role:
Director of Educational Technology
Gender:
Male
Areas of expertise:
Online Learning, Technology in Education, Education - Curriculum design, Education - Curriculum Development
I am:
Blogger, Designer, Educator/Teacher, Event planner, Idea generator, Social entrepreneur, Technologist
Associations:
ISTE
My website links:
Personal site, Prototype Design Camp
Universities:
Hampden-Sydney College, George Mason University
TED conferences attended:
TEDActive 2013, TEDActive 2012, TEDActive 2011, TED2010
Member Picture

TEDCRED 500+ TED AttendeeAssociateTEDx Organizer

More About Me

I'm passionate about

education, using design to transform the learning experience, experiential learning, blended learning, learning environments, food, new media.

Talk to me about

Learning, design, re-imagining education, bow ties, and bbq

People don't know that I'm good at

playing flashlight tag

Comments

  • TEDCred score: +2170.00 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

  • A reply on Conversation: How do you move inspiration into action? *A TEDActive Social Networks Project*

    Apr 27 2011: Shanna!!!!

    That's essentially it. In building off of Sarah's idea, we all have a belief system or philosophy. Rather than asking our peers to immediately do something, I propose that we ask them to follow and perhaps contribute to a hashtag/stream on FB.

    We create the forum (hashtag/quora entry/FB post) that is dedicated to a certain idea or concept. Then we would begin to post our thoughts/ideas around that topic. This would culminate in an event where those contributing to the stream could meet up and plan how they can take those idea to action.

    The beauty is that those who just want to lurk can do so, those who want to contribute to the hashtag will simply add their thoughts, and then those who want to contribute and then take it to action/meet others have that option.

    It's a win, win, win situation. Now on to the planning stages....

  • A comment on Conversation: How do you move inspiration into action? *A TEDActive Social Networks Project*

    Apr 27 2011: Sarah, you bring up an excellent point. We all have networks whether they are online or f2f and if we are thoughtful and organized with what we ask of that network, we'll be surprised of the response. Over the next week I will think of a way to push out an education based micro-philosophy. Thanks for the thought provoking post.
  • +4

    A comment on Talk: Kathryn Schulz: On being wrong

    Apr 19 2011: Still my favorite quote from TED 2011. "I err therefore I am" - St. Augustine.

    Kathryn gives a great talk on an issue that does not get enough credibility. I'm hoping that schools/companies/individuals take what she says to heart and truly be willing to fail. The more we try, play, and make mistakes, the better the chances we'll come across the "right" approach.

  • A comment on Conversation: Test Schools, Not Children

    Feb 16 2011: Ask Arne Duncan a question about improving education. Rather, let your students ask Arne a question: http://sparkaction.org/summit
  • +2

    A comment on Conversation: Test Schools, Not Children

    Feb 15 2011: Learning is durable when students are empowered and have ownership over their learning. While this is being done in pockets around the world, it is far too infrequent. The idea of grading schools is great but I would counter that it is not a matter of grading schools but rather offering more examples of what kind of learning happens when students are engaged.

    Examples like your Brightworks School, among others, offer the opportunity to provide evidence to school systems on the value of a more engaged and empowered student.

    Changing "failing" schools is a massive cultural hurdle but if we build more schools that focus on students making a difference and engaging in something real and tangible, rather than simply throwing computers at them, we can offer some valuable examples to what is possible in schools.

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