Top 8 Inspiring, Mind-Blowing Video Lectures

Have you gotten as hooked on amazing video lectures as we have? If not, here’s a primer. These animated and filmed lectures are guaranteed to open your mind and get you (or your students) thinking about the world in new ways. Enjoy!

The Secret Powers of Time
Professor Philip Zimbardo sheds light on how our outlook towards time affects our work, health and well-being. Time influences who we are as people, how we view relationships and how we act in the world. And it’s all presented in this engaging animation.

Can Math be as Amazing as Magic?
You’ve never seen this kind of magic. Mathemagician Arthur Benjamin races against calculators, squaring three digit numbers instantaneously. It’s like watching Michael Phelps swim. But with math.

Are Schools Killing Students’ Creativity?
Sir Ken Robinson gives an often funny presentation on a serious topic. He shows us how schools are punishing students for being wrong. While “being wrong isn’t the same as being creative,” he notes that “if you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.” Do schools make kids feel mistakes are the worst things they can make? Watch the video and decide for yourself.

Our Empathic Civilization
Bestselling author, political adviser and social and ethical prophet Jeremy Rifkin investigates the evolution of empathy. He discusses the profound ways that our impulse towards empathy has shaped our society.

Underwater Creatures That Will Astound You
David Gallo shows jaw-dropping footage of amazing sea creatures, including a color-shifting cuttlefish, a perfectly camouflaged octopus, and a Times Square’s worth of neon light displays from fish who live in the blackest depths of the ocean. Get your students hooked with these creatures of the deep.

The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
This lively RSA Animate, adapted from Dan Pink’s talk at the RSA, illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us at home and in the workplace.

Data That Will Make You Say “Hmmm”
You’ve never seen data presented like this. With the drama and urgency of a sportscaster, statistics guru Hans Rosling debunks myths about the so-called “developing world.”

Our Educational System Was Designed for the 19th Century
Another amazing and controversial lecture by Sir Ken Robinson, world-renowned education and creativity expert. He describes the evolution (or lack thereof) of public education.