In this course, students will have the opportunity to discover, expand, and share their ideas in the form of TED-style talks. Students will explore, think critically about, and discuss ideas. Through the application of research skills and writing, student will grow their understanding of a topic they are passionate about in preparation to build their talks. They will develop presentation literacy skills as they apply storytelling, persuasion, and public-speaking strategies. The course will culminate in the presentation and sharing of TED Talks by utilizing technology tools.
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
Analyze presentations to discuss the elements that support effective public speaking ideas and skills.
Identify and develop a topic that reflects a student’s passion through brainstorming and collaboration.
Apply online research strategies to grow understanding and become an “expert” within chosen topic.
Communicate original research findings by formulating a summary that utilizes accurate citations.
Create a speaking script integrating storytelling and persuasion guided by research.
Explore public speaking strategies to incorporate within a presentation plan to enhance audience engagement.
Enhance digital presentations using multimedia, presentation, and video technology tools.
Share ideas effectively by connecting and reflecting with an authentic audience.
MODULE/WEEK 1 Exploring and Analyzing Effective Public Speaking In the first week of the course, students will have the opportunity to view a variety of TED Talks to consider the ideas people choose to share and how they choose to share them. Students will collaboratively share their findings and build upon each other’s knowledge to consider how to best identify and communicate one’s passion.
MODULE/WEEK 2 Identifying Passions and Developing Ideas Students will explore different brainstorming processes and how speakers determine and build “big ideas”. They will complete an activity that will help them to identify and delve further into their passions. Additionally, students will share their passions with each other and provide feedback before determining and submitting chosen topic.
MODULE/WEEK 3 Becoming an Expert by Applying Research Skills In this module, students will engage in learning about and utilizing research tools to build their understanding of their chosen topic. The provided resources and activities will demonstrate to students how to navigate sources as well as how to collect and cite research accurately. Furthermore, students will apply these strategies by writing a paper that summarizes the research and explains how students hope to incorporate it within the points of their TED Talk.
MODULE/WEEK 4 Building an Engaging TED Talk: Storytelling Tools This module will provide students with the opportunity to explore the ways in which storytelling elements are incorporated within public speaking to capture the attention of an audience. Students will begin the process of constructing their scripts by applying these strategies in developing a “hook” for their talk. Students will share and critique each other’s “hooks” utilizing a discussion format and will make any necessary adjustments. In this module, students will also begin to fill out their script outlines.
MODULE/WEEK 5 Building an Engaging TED Talk: Persuading through Research and Experience In this module, students will build upon their TED talk scripts by engaging in learning activities that demonstrate ways to incorporate research and additional experience to both inform and persuade their audience to find value and connection within the student’s topic. Students will gain an understanding of persuasive techniques and rhetorical tools as they explore their effectiveness collaboratively. Students will apply their findings as they work to complete their script outlines to share with classmates for feedback.
MODULE/WEEK 6 Building an Engaging TED Talk: Visual and Presentation Elements The use of visual elements within presentations as well as elements such as voice and body language will be covered within this module. Through the course resources, students will develop a deeper understanding of ways in which to use visual aids effectively to enhance the delivery of their talk. Students will finalize their scripts while planning the visual resources and presentation skills they intend to incorporate when delivering their talk.
MODULE/WEEK 7 Producing an Engaging Media Presentation Students will explore and determine the technology tools they wish to use to produce their TED Talk. This module will provide a choice for students in how to record and present using a variety of media tools. Additionally, students will work to revise their scripts as necessary as they finalize their presentations including creating simple presentation notes to guide natural delivery.
MODULE/WEEK 8 Utilizing Technology to Share Ideas and Connect with Others In this module, students will create a social media post, flyer, or video preview to advertise their TED Talk. Students will publish and share their completed TED Talks and preview material and will engage in commenting and making connections through learning from the ideas of their classmates. The completed presentations and promotional materials will be published to a webpage so that student presentations can be shared with the entire school. Students will also have the opportunity to reflect on their TED Talk experience.