A love of learning | Sam Lau | TEDxWhitneyHigh

Summary

In a heartfelt TEDx talk, the speaker reflects on their transformative journey of learning through online platforms like edX during their senior year. They emphasize the importance of self-directed learning and the profound impact of both great and poor teachers on student interest. Highlighting the inevitability of adversity, the speaker encourages proactive responses and the sharing of knowledge as a way to enhance personal growth. By surrounding themselves with inspiring individuals and embracing teaching, they advocate for collective efforts to address global challenges, urging listeners to make the most of each day through learning and teaching.

Takeaways

• 😀 Online learning platforms like edX provide free access to college courses, making education more accessible.
• 📚 Self-directed learning fosters personal growth and responsibility in understanding concepts.
• 🤔 Good teachers can spark interest in subjects, while poor teachers can diminish it; however, you can control your learning experience.
• 💪 Adversity is a constant in life, but your reaction to it is variable and essential for personal development.
• 🔍 Learning opportunities can arise in unexpected places; it's important to remain open to these experiences.
• 🤝 Sharing knowledge through teaching not only helps others but reinforces your own understanding.
• 🚀 Surround yourself with people who inspire you and challenge you to grow in areas you want to improve.
• 🏫 Teaching can reveal aspects of your communication style and areas for improvement in your teaching methods.
• 🌍 Collective effort is crucial for tackling global challenges like poverty and climate change; no one can do it alone.
• 🌟 Every day is precious; make a habit of learning a little and teaching a little to enrich both your life and the lives of others.

Q & A

What is edX and who started it?

edX is an online learning platform offering college courses for free. It was founded by MIT, UC Berkeley, and Harvard.

How many edX classes did the speaker take in their first semester of senior year?

The speaker took four edX classes during their first semester of senior year.

What are some subjects the speaker has learned through online courses?

The speaker has learned programming, modern security concepts, and the chemistry behind their favorite recipes.

What realization did the speaker have about their own learning process?

The speaker realized the importance of taking responsibility for their own learning and actively seeking to understand concepts they found challenging.

What influence do good and bad teachers have on student interest in subjects?

Good teachers can increase student interest by making subjects applicable to life, while bad teachers can diminish that interest.

What advice does the speaker give regarding handling adversity?

The speaker advises that while adversity is constant, how one reacts to it is variable and crucial for personal growth.

How did the speaker share their learning with a friend?

The speaker would share interesting concepts learned from edX with their friend Ruwi, fostering mutual enthusiasm for learning.

What relationship did the speaker discover between learning and teaching?

The speaker found that teaching others enhances their own learning experience and helps identify areas for personal improvement.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of teaching?

Teaching allows individuals to share knowledge, influence others positively, and develop their own understanding of subjects.

What overarching issues does the speaker highlight that require collective action?

The speaker mentions large-scale issues like poverty, global warming, and war, emphasizing the need for collective knowledge and resources to address them.