TEDx Talks | Setting first-generation students up for success | Joel Ledford | TEDxUCDavis @TEDx | Uploaded 2 months ago | Updated 1 day ago
Can you think back to that one teacher who made a difference? Teachers have the capacity to shape our lives, and it often just takes one special connection to inspire us to push our limits, explore new boundaries, and achieve our goals. This kind of connection doesn't happen spontaneously; it requires genuine care, trust, and partnership. As teachers and students, how do we find ways to actively engage in our learning, reflect on our strengths and weaknesses, and grow into lifelong learners? Using examples from my experiences in K-12 and higher education, Professor Joel Ledford shares how active approaches to learning and advising can help build a foundation for self-directed, reflective learning.
Joel Ledford, an Associate Professor of Teaching in the Department of Plant Biology, is dedicated to teaching and learning, drawing from a background in both K-12 and higher education. Collaborating with Professor Susan Keen in the Department of Evolution and Ecology, he developed a series of concurrent classes, known as 'co-classes,' aimed at supporting first-generation college students. Beyond his commitment to education, Joel's research pursuits extend to evolutionary biology and biospeleology, with a focus on studying spiders in the Southwestern US. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Can you think back to that one teacher who made a difference? Teachers have the capacity to shape our lives, and it often just takes one special connection to inspire us to push our limits, explore new boundaries, and achieve our goals. This kind of connection doesn't happen spontaneously; it requires genuine care, trust, and partnership. As teachers and students, how do we find ways to actively engage in our learning, reflect on our strengths and weaknesses, and grow into lifelong learners? Using examples from my experiences in K-12 and higher education, Professor Joel Ledford shares how active approaches to learning and advising can help build a foundation for self-directed, reflective learning.
Joel Ledford, an Associate Professor of Teaching in the Department of Plant Biology, is dedicated to teaching and learning, drawing from a background in both K-12 and higher education. Collaborating with Professor Susan Keen in the Department of Evolution and Ecology, he developed a series of concurrent classes, known as 'co-classes,' aimed at supporting first-generation college students. Beyond his commitment to education, Joel's research pursuits extend to evolutionary biology and biospeleology, with a focus on studying spiders in the Southwestern US. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
