Khan Academy: Successful Online Video Instruction

Posted on October 19th, 2010 in All Videos,Leaders

20 minutes

Salman Khan, renowned voice from the amazing library of 1,400+ online videos posted at the Khan Academy, speaks at GEL 2010. His talk focuses on how his accidental approach towards teaching online has struck a chord with students. While teachers are quick to say that classroom instructors can’t be substituted for by online videos, Sal wonders if that is really true. Among the many reasons discussed, perhaps the one that goes unsaid most often in classrooms is the intimidation factor. Peer pressure, eagerness to impress, and desire not waste others’ time can inhibit students from taking advantage of the benefits offered by personal attention. Several other factors Sal mentions that have led to success include him not appearing in the videos, keeping the video durations to 10 minutes, and the ability for students to pause, rewind, and jump around to topics in any order they desire.


Bill Gurstelle: The Art of Living Dangerously

Posted on September 17th, 2009 in All Videos,Authors,Society

18 minutes

Bill Gurstelle, author of book like Backyard Ballistics and Absinthe and Flamethrowers, speaks at Gel 2009 about risk taking and its correlation with life satisfaction. Both inspiring and informative, Bill shares multiple stories of his own and others’ risk taking adventures.
Do you take risks? Take the test here.


Seth Godin: This Is Broken

Posted on February 23rd, 2007 in All Videos,Design,Leaders

20 minutes

Seth Godin gives an entertaining talk depicting various types of brokenness people run into every day and the inspiration behind the website This Is Broken.