From Debate to Dialogue: Students Explore Passion and Purpose in Annual TED Talks

By Ella Weathers, Shield Editor 

As Ellen Robinson’s zero-hour Honors Competitive Speech & Debate class approached the end of the year, Robinson wanted the students to have one last assignment to conclude the course by thinking deeply and speaking purposefully about areas of personal interest. After the end of competition season, Robinson's annual TED Talk assignment challenged her students to go beyond their typical competition preparation and to dive into topics that mattered to them personally and culturally.  

For the assignment, students chose their own topic, created a message with impact, and presented their talk to the audience in a way that swayed their listeners’ original opinions. From topics such as social media to revolutions to how to make a difference with academic creativity, each TED Talk was centered on the main idea of something that would shift perspectives. 

“This isn’t just a presentation,” Robinson said. “It’s a way for them to practice communication that is structured, thoughtful, and persuasive. It helps them grow not only in speaking but in thinking as well.” 

One of Robinson's zero-hour students, Adella Wu, took the opportunity to go deep into the topic of how standardized education affects a student’s ability to be creative. From her own personal burnout and the pressure around her, Wu’s talk was a reminder that every student has potential, no matter how standardized the system tries to make them. 

In the end, the TED Talks weren’t about scoring points – they were about instilling an understanding of something new, an attempt to make a difference by convincing their peers to adopt a similar view on interesting and inspiring topics.