40+ Best TED Talks

Here is a link to the 40+ best TED Talks with their respective links — a la my picks. See what you think.

The Cycle of Computer Programing

Twenty-five years ago programing using Basic, Logo, Pascal, and HTML was a popular educational tool. At some point, it slipped off of the academic technology grid. Today students are designing applications for smartphones. See the TED Talk of 12-year old Thomas Suarez. Programing aka "coding" is now stronger than ever as illustrated on the front page of the May 11, 2014 New York Times. “Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and Now Coding” by Matt Richtel who reports a “national educational movement in computer coding instruction that is growing at Internet speeds.”


Also, check out code.org.

Look Up

If you can't find the time to read Catherine Steiner-Adair's much-talked-about book, The Big Disconnect, then view this five-minute video. THEN, go get her book and read it.

Get Grimm

It's all a matter of coincidence, but I've been consumed by brothers Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm, you know, the 19th Century fairy tale writers.

1) I am involved in a production of "Fractured Fairytales" at the Seacoast Repertory Theater; I'm playing the part of Hansel.
2) Coincidentally, the local librarian in my town recommended the book Far Far Away by Tom McNeal, a young adult book about 15-year olds Jeremy and Ginger who are guided by ghost Jakob Grimm. It's a book I recommend highly.
3) I bumped into the free online book on Google Books, Grimm's Fairy Tales and cannot put it down. The original versions of Cinderella, The Golden Goose, The Frog Prince, Little Red Riding Hood and many more are fascinating to read, even though a bit grim if I do say so. Make sure you read them first before considering whether to read them to little ones.