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TEDX Christchurch

Slightly outside the sphere of education was the opportunity to attend #TEDXChristchurch.

I have been a fan of TEDtalks for the longest time. I think of them as a direct line into the minds of others, an opportunity to learn from others, “powerful ideas worth sharing”. I attribute many shifts in my thinking to deep reflection and critical thinking around TEDtalks.

“TED was born in 1984 out of Richard Saul Wurman's observation of a powerful convergence among three fields: technology, entertainment and design.” From a very humble beginning, to many iterations and additions, including TEDTalks, TEDGlobal, and TED-Ed, TEDX is now “a radical opening up of the TED format to local, independently organized events”.

What is it about TEDX that really excites me? What is it I love the most? I love…

  • The opportunity to get outside of the educational realm I spend so much of my life in and connect with another crowd.
  • Being ‘in the moment’ of TEDX. I love the way each speaker transports us to another dimension, takes us on a journey and invites us to connect with their idea worth sharing.
  •  The diversity of the talks and the audience.
  • The timeframes of the talks…
  • The holistic experience that is TEDX — from registering, to arriving, to participating and celebrating, we are immersed in a journey of discovery and imagination.
  • The opportunity to reflect on the talks and capture snippets of the talks on my blog.
  • The opportunity to capture snippets for our CORE Education blog.
  • I love it all!

We are inexorably changed as a result of attending TEDX. We cannot experience the emotions of ‘ideas worth sharing’ and awake the next day unchanged. From laughter, to tears, fear, grief, empathy, tension, awe, wonder and love, we've experienced it all on the day.

This was my fourth TedX and without a doubt it was the most emotive, powerful journey. The power of the human story today captured us and held us spellbound. A few highlights from the day:

Michele A'Court — thinking again about our voices
The meaning of life is connection. Find a community and share your voice. Make what you want to say count!

Rod Oram — thinking again about explorers
How can we live well on this planet? We are heading for ecological disaster, and we MUST take action to avoid the disaster we are rapidly heading towards? Poisoning our ecosystem MUST stop!

Robyn and Analise Twemlow — thinking again about Tourette's as a disability
What a rare and beautiful privilege to hear the story of a mum and her stunning daughter — a story that touches us all. Sooo much change is necessary to make a difference for sufferers of Tourettes' syndrome.

Dr Swee Tan — Cancer and strawberry birthmark: a revolutionary approach
Total awe and respect for this most humble genius of a man. The message I take from this is keeping asking questions, all the questions, dig deeper, and look further.

Carolina Izzo — thinking again about the importance of teamwork
How powerful to sit in the Isaac Theatre Royal and hear the story of the restoration, particularly of the dome. A story of team, perseverance and innovation and the dawning of the importance of the America's Cup for the carbon fibre lining to attach the restored canvas.

Craig Jarvis — thinking again about buildings that add life
Biophillia, my favourite new word of the day, a work meaning our connection with nature, our love of life, our ability to sustain life; physically, mentally, socially, spiritually and emotionally.

Eric Liu — The three essential ingredients for active citizenship
An American that spoke with the heart of Canterbury, and understanding of the re-build and the MAGIC of gap-fillers. Eric introduced a clever phrase "Techtonic shifts", changes all of what we understand and knew. He spoke of three elements of citizenship; power, imagination and character … at the core of what we do and why we do it!

Matt Vickers — thinking again about the choices we have and how we die
Assisted dying, infringement of human rights? Lecretia's story! A story so powerful, told so powerfully.

Julian Arahanga & Ladi6 — A music programme in prison that transforms lives
Hearing of the MAGIC of the story that is 'songs from the inside'. Touched so much by the strength of the message that all we need is someone to believe in you. The power of the mentoring is so precious in this story. Valuing and embracing the stories that NEED to be heard, and NEED to be understood!

TEDX Christchurch attendees from CORE
CORE colleagues at TEDX Christchurch

Indeed we have feasted on a fine bounty of stories from the heart of the teller, direct to our hearts and souls.

We are richer for the experience, for hearing the stories of others, for being a part of a community that gathers together for good!

We have walked in the mocassins of many today!

The greatest impact on my thinking is: listen to the stories; respect the stories and the storytellers; speak up, share our own stories; ask questions, challenge, and delve deep; but most important to me is the message that all any of many need is ONE significant other who believes in us, believes we will be a success…

Aroha and gratitude to all who share their story…

I invite you to explore TEDtalks and share your thoughts about how we can change the world ‘from the ground up’.

Additional resources:

Take time to read this article to get an appreciation of the journey from humble beginnings to the stage at Isaac Theatre Royal:

  • The history of History of TED — How did a one-off conference about technology, entertainment and design become a viral video phenomenon and a worldwide community of passionate people?

And if you want a taste of the very first talks, check out this view list:

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Anne Kenneally

Anne Kenneally is an experienced professional learning facilitator. Anne facilitates the effective use of digital technologies to engage and empower all learners. She has been a part of the Learning with Digital Technologies team. She is also a mentor within the UChoose mentoring programme and Virtual Professional Learning and Development (VPLD) programmes. Anne has worked with schools and leadership teams across New Zealand supporting the development of effective use of technology, Google how-tos, and teaching as inquiry, through to strategic planning and school transformation initiatives. Anne has a strong focus on teaching as inquiry, supporting leaders and educators to maximise their potential. She is also passionate about removing ‘barriers to learning’ for students, particularly in literacy.

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Comments (8)

  1. pauline.henderson@core-ed.org' Pauline Henderson says:

     

    Thanks Anne for reminding me what an amazing experience it is to attend TEDx! Like so many people there I cried, I was challenged, I could hear the silence as some speakers almost stopped us breathing, I felt humbled, I felt grateful, I was in awe of others’ courage, I cried a whole lot more, I laughed, I listened to music and then when I felt I had no emotion left there were more speakers to move me. For me: Rod Oram on the future of our planet, Dr Swee Tan and his research work, Analise Twemlow’s courage to share her disability, Eric Liu’s oratory and the real Song from the Inside! How lucky we are to have such an wonderful venue to soak up all that Inspiration. Looking forward to TEDxChCh16.

     

    Reply

    1. Hi Pauline,

      Thanks so much for your comment.  Indeed, as I read your response I am transported back to the emotion of the day.  I can recall the silence of the 1300 attendees in the Theatre, I can recall hearing the sharp intake of breath, and the laughter.  The courage of the speakers stays clearly with me.  The courage of speakers empowers us to openly and honestly share our own personal stories with those we work with.  As each and every talk from TEDXChristchurch comes online we are able to relive the day.  For those who weren't able to attend, the ability to experience each and every story is another little bit of TEDX MAGIC.  Since attending TEDXChristchurch I have had the privilege of attending TEDXDunedin.  You may want to check out the two stories online from there so far also.

      Anxiety is an expert strategist | Damian Scarf | TEDxDunedin

      and 

      My whakapapa saved my life | Karyn Paringatai | TEDxDunedin

      How lucky we are indeed, to enjoy these ideas worth sharing. 

      Do you have a favourite TEDXtalk of all time?

      Anne K

      PS and don't forget TEDXQueenstown on April 17 2016

      Reply
  4. sarah.whiting@core-ed.ac.nz' Sarah Whiting says:

    Such an amazing buzz as I walked around the corner from New Regent street, waiting with excitement for the event to happen. Great kick off with Te Pao a Tahu (and of course our gorgeous Gemma)- loved the idea of looking back before building a way forward and the idea around using this opportunity (earthquake) to create a cultural soul to Chch.

    My highlights were:

    Michele A’Court: “I have the right to be thyself”, letting your voices flow (life is offensive and refuses to apologise)- really made me think about the times when I have bitten my tongue and suffered as a result.

    Rod Oram: We have to learn to die to live. Reminded me of the video about taking terminal days.  Also looking at the world upside down- thinking outside the box, taking things from another perspective

    Robyn and Analise Twemlow- Again because it was about changing your angle/ thinking again and looking at things in a different way. The courage of Analise to be open and confronting with what she said was an eye open for us all. Blew me away with pride (even though I don’t know them personally I made a connection).

    Jason: Just cause he is a gorgeous man with an incredible voice! :)

    Slavko Martinov: delving into the corners of NZ that were once unknown. Bringing light on situations.

     

    My challenges:

    Firstly I drive a vw (eekkk, I am now responsible for killing the world)- trying to balance personal safety with global survival.

    Exploring how we live with nature

    Identifying what is in my head and heart in my decision making- being more responsive to my senses.

     

    Call for action:

    Think again/ look at things in a different way

    Change Societal Ecosystem- is it right that the majority of our funding comes from gambling??

    Collaborate- it makes big things happen

    Be thyself- use your voice!

    Take the past with us as we move forward

    Reply

    1. Kia ora Sarah, 

      Thanks for your response.  Wasn't it just an incredible day! I just love your call to action statements.  A TEDX experience really does call us to action, and I find revisiting our experience very valuable.  Thank you for sharing your call to action!

      Are you keen to come to TEDXQueenstown next year on 17 April 2016?

      Anne K

      Reply
  5. Gemma Stewart says:

    As this was my first TEDx experience I had no idea what to expect from the live show, however I was super excited to be a part of it having been a long time viewer or TED Talks.  The energy in the theatre was palpable and infectious and carried us through a day that challenged and humbled us in so many ways. 

    I started writing what the stand out talks were to me, but the list started to get too long and I realised that everyone who got on stage affected me, if by nothing else than their bravery to stand infront of over a 1000 people and share their passion. When the final speaker had spoken I was torn between wanting to celebrate what we had all just been a part of and wanting to crawl away to try and make sense of it all, a few months post event what I'm left with is the sense of strength, hope and possiblity for the future.

    I am definitely a live show fan and would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to attend.

    Reply

    1. Hi Gemma,

      What an incredible experience it was indeed.  How exciting it was to have you and your kapahaka group on stage to start us off for TEDXChristchurch. What an incredible mihi to welcome us into the space. 

      Like you I am torn bewteen wanting to talk about the day and wanting to hide away to unpack it all.  I revisit my blog often to reflect on highlights of the day. 

      Live TEDX experiences are such a privilege to be a part of.  

      Thanks again for the welcome to TEDXChristchurch.

      Anne K

      Reply

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