Brilliance in Urban Education: Ted Talk Analysis

Introduction: A Fresh Take on Education

Education is a pretty hot topic nowadays, ain't it? While I was searching for a Ted Talk, I stumbled upon one that seemed like it'd inspire teachers everywhere. The talk is called "Teaching and Being Rachetdemic" by Christopher Emdin. It's just 14 minutes long but full of useful stuff. Emdin really nailed the presentation. A Ted Talk is kinda like an oral presentation, ya know? In this analysis, I'm gonna break down who the speaker is, what's his talk about, who's he talking to, the evidence he uses, and how the whole genre thing shapes his message.

About Christopher Emdin: The Man Behind the Talk

Before diving into the talk, I wanted to know more about this Emdin guy. He's an associate professor at Columbia University's Teachers College and writes for The Huffington Post. He believes “the best teachers can be found in the unlikeliest of places—and that traditional education theory is failing our students” (Emdin). That's some bold stuff right there! He even started this thing called Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S., which uses hip-hop in classrooms to get students engaged. So yeah, I checked out what the talk's all about before watching it. It’s mainly about how who you are doesn’t stop you from doing great things, and anyone can shine if given the right conditions. Since Emdin's got teaching creds and his methods seem to work, I'd say this video’s got some reliability.

The Purpose: Informing and Persuading

The main goal of his presentation? Probably to inform and maybe persuade folks. Right at the start, Emdin throws out a bunch of “talk about” statements. He says, “So I’m here to talk about education...especially urban education...to really convey my feelings on improving it...” (Emdin). This opening line sets up everything he's gonna talk about. His tone and hand gestures are super powerful—they totally grab your attention. The way he moves his hands makes his words pop! You know when someone's really into what they're saying and they kinda wave their hands around?

The Evidence: Metaphors and Personal Stories

He explains that kids living in projects or other young people of color often seen as not so smart can actually be brilliant with the right setup. Emdin goes on about rainbows saying, “I thought rainbow colors came from places they hovered over...then one day I saw a rainbow over housing projects...I was shocked” (Emdin). He compares those kids to rainbows saying they just need perfect conditions for their brilliance to show—it doesn't matter where they are.

Cultural References: Ethos and Pathos

Then he shares this experience of being invited to some swanky event to talk urban education using Ethos for credibility. He says something like, “I didn’t wanna eat first 'cause I didn’t know which fork to use” (Emdin). “I was hungry but didn’t feel comfy sharing...same goes for kids in urban classrooms today.” That comparison hits hard using Pathos making us feel pity for these kids.

The Solution: Embracing Duality

Emdin thinks being both ratchet and academic could solve things. “Some of y’all are ratchet or have ratchet friends…but also academic…it’s constructed as if you gotta choose…so they pick what’s comfy” (Emdin). Using “y’all” gives it a conversational vibe rather than speechifying.

The Audience: Educators Unite!

The online crowd probably includes teachers, principals, admins or professors watching this video. Emdin keeps it pro backing up points with examples using simple language without complex words—anyone gets his message easily! This oral presentation genre lets him passionately talk 'bout something he knows well—education.

Conclusion: Learning from "Teaching and Being Rachetdemic"

Emdin’s Ted Talk was motivational teaching me loads! His aim was informing educators hoping they'll improve urban education—he used lotsa evidence including personal stories keeping us engaged through passionate delivery plus body language skills! And yeah—the whole thing being spoken rather than written makes it different too! Really enjoyed watching it learning tons on enhancing urban schooling!

References

• Christopher Emdin - Teaching and Being Rachetdemic [Video]. TEDx Talks.
• The Huffington Post - Articles by Christopher Emdin.
• Columbia University - Teachers College Faculty Profiles.
• Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S - Official Website.
• Ted.com - What is a TED Talk?