TED Community » Jason Lilly

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Family, Education, Creativity, Curiosity, Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary

An idea worth spreading

Education should do more to show young adults that their world is an amazing place. In spite of technology's ability to connect us, many young adults feel disconnected from and/or bored with their world, their community, and even their home. As a teacher, I encourage my students to use a childlike curiosity to rediscover their world, to be like explorers and discover that the ordinary can be extraordinary. Also, young adults should be encouraged to participate in making their world extraordinary. The education system should be less classroom-instruction dominant and more experiential learning oriented. This system would foster curiosity and creativity and give students the opportunity to see their world from a new perspective and use their knowledge, strengths, and creativity to participate in making their world extraordinary. Community improvement projects, art shows, concerts, museum visits, these are just a few ideas schools could consider to help students see the world anew.

Talk to me about

Education, theater, Shakespeare, writing, literature, family, outdoor activities

People don't know that I'm good at

Washing dishes, singing, acting

My TED Story

I'm not really sure what you're asking here, but I'll do what I can. Ken Robinson's talk on schools and creativity really hit home for me. Growing up, I was a hyper kid, often in trouble in class because I couldn't be quiet and wouldn't sit still. When I was a teen, I hated school because I got bored sitting in a classroom. Regardless, I surprised my family by becoming a first generation college student and majoring in Education. In the classroom, I don't expect my students to stay quiet or sit still. I try to design lessons that encourage collaboration, creativity, activity, movement, and most of all spotlight my students' strengths. Too often in school, my weaknesses were judged or punished and my strengths ignored. I don't want this to happen to my students. I want them to see how they are extraordinary and how their world is extraordinary, and use that to make their world even more extraordinary.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +1.40 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A reply on Conversation: Why should listening be taught as a skill in school?

  Aug 6 2011: Well said, Bud. I think it was Socrates who said, "If a man would move the world, he must first move himself." Lead by example.
  
  Thank you so much for your dedication and for leading by example.

• A reply on Conversation: Why should listening be taught as a skill in school?

  Aug 6 2011: Well said, Patrick. Thank you for the relevant and informative Latin lesson. You are exactly right. If students feel respected, they will listen. Often, young people put up walls, especially when adults are speaking, and even more so when strange adults are speaking because they have not been respected by most adults they have encountered. So I agree that it begins with respect.
  
  Thank you so much for your insight.

• A reply on Conversation: Why should listening be taught as a skill in school?

  Aug 3 2011: Well said, Bob. It would transform both students and faculty. Thank you for sharing this.

• A reply on Conversation: Why should listening be taught as a skill in school?

  Aug 3 2011: You're welcome, Jim. Let me know how the lessons work out. Maybe we can swap lesson plans. Thank you for your insight.

• A reply on Conversation: Why should listening be taught as a skill in school?

  Aug 2 2011: It does help, Astra. Thank you so much for your outstanding insight. I agree with and love everything you said here. Thank you.

• A reply on Conversation: Why should listening be taught as a skill in school?

  Aug 2 2011: Well said, Chaya. I have seen many relationships crumble because neither party is good at listening to one another. And I agree that the world would be a better place. Thank you for your insight.

• A reply on Conversation: Why should listening be taught as a skill in school?

  Aug 2 2011: Some excellent points made, Elisabeth. Thank you for sharing. Good luck with your school year. Mine begins soon.

• A reply on Conversation: Why should listening be taught as a skill in school?

  Aug 2 2011: True, sir, it might. As a teacher, I am pledging to weave listening skills into my curriculum in hopes that my students will have those skills when they are necessary. Thank you for sharing.

• A reply on Conversation: Why should listening be taught as a skill in school?

  Aug 2 2011: Thank you, Jennifer. That is what I am talking about. You said it perfectly when you said "he most important lesson in life is to learn to be present in our world." Many young people lack this and it comes as a shock to them later in life when they miss something important. Thank you for understanding and for your input.

• A reply on Conversation: Why should listening be taught as a skill in school?

  Aug 1 2011: Well said, Joseph. Thank you.