Presented at TESOL 2012

1. 2012 International TESOL Convention,Philadelphia
Ms. Candice Quiñones, cjq208@lehigh.edu
Electronic Village Presentation
March 29, 2012
Using Online Videos for Promotion of Critical Thinking and Oral Fluency
Critical Thinking and Oral Fluency
One of the biggest challenges I know is trying to find ways to encourage students to not
only think critically but also to vocalize their thoughts. One of the ways I have arrived at
is finding material that my students can relate to easily or are highly familiar with (such
as their own culture). I have come across several videos that I find highly useful for
promoting discussion in my classes, but beyond that, they make students think. Below
are a list of videos, links to them and some starter questions. These can be used for
class discussion, fodder for presentations, debates, or simple one-on-one conversation
practice. Depending on who your students are, some may be more or less useful to you.
What I Did:In my one on one tutoring sessions with a student from China, I asked her to
watch Video 1 and create a PowerPoint presentation with her response to the video. In
the response, I asked her the questions listed.
Results: She led the entire next session with her response. I chimed in occasionally,
but she was in her element.
Suggested Videos:
Video 1: 10 minutes and You Know About China
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szji2zTx9Yc
Length: 10:19
Points of Discussion: Chinese Culture
Questions for Discussion:
What points in this video do you feel accurately describe Chinese culture, and
which points do you feel are inaccurate?
Are there important things about China that you feel should have been added?
If you were to create your own short video to present your culture to people who
knew nothing about it, what elements would you include? (Outline them)
Video 2: Shawn Achor: The Happy Secret to Better Work
Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.html
Length: 12:21
Points of Discussion: Positive Psychology, Optimism, Reducing Stress
Questions for Discussion:
Are you an optimist or pessimist?
How do you feel about the idea of promoting optimism to improve performance?
How do you feel about the way Shawn Achor presented his information?
Can you think of some examples of the ideas presented in this video? (Good or
bad) Have you ever experienced things he mentioned?
Do you think his proposition for improving optimism is realistic?

2. 2012 International TESOL Convention,Philadelphia
Ms. Candice Quiñones, cjq208@lehigh.edu
Electronic Village Presentation
March 29, 2012
Video 3: Laura Trice Suggests We All Say Thank You
Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/laura_trice_suggests_we_all_say_thank_you.html
Length: 3:32
Points of Discussion: Gratitude, Open Communication, Honesty, Praise
Questions for Discussion:
When was the last time you took time to thank the people around you for
everything they do for you?
Do you sometimes feel the need to be recognized and thanked for what you do?
How does thanking others and being thanked help us?
Do you believe that doing this more will have the effect of making our world more
peaceful? Why or why not?
When is it appropriate to show gratitude in your culture? When is it not? How is
this similar to or different from the way Americans think?
Video 4: Richard St. John’s 8 Secrets to Success
Link:http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_s_8_secrets_of_success.html
Length: 3:33
Points of Discussion: Keys to Success (American Perspective)
Questions for Discussion:
How are these American ideas of what leads to success similar or different from
your culture’s beliefs about success?
How are these secrets to success similar or different to your own beliefs about
success?
Why do you believe these differences exist?
If you were going to create your own list of secrets to success, what things would
you include?
Video 5: How Digital Changed Our World
Link:http://www.videoinfographics.com/pg-how-digital-changed-our-world/
Length: 3:11
Points of Discussion: Digital Technology Dependence, Development, and “Revolution”
Questions for Discussion:
Would you include yourself in the number of people affected by digital
technology?
How has it affected you?
Would you be able to go a day without using any digital technology? Why or why
not?
Do you think that the effect of digital technology on our world has been generally
positive or negative? Explain.

3. 2012 International TESOL Convention,Philadelphia
Ms. Candice Quiñones, cjq208@lehigh.edu
Electronic Village Presentation
March 29, 2012
Video 7: Matt Cutts—Try Something New for 30 Days
Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html
Length: 3:27
Points of Discussion: Trying new things, habit formation, change
Questions for Discussion:
Have you ever tried to quit a bad habit or adopt a new good one? What was it
like?
What is something you have always wanted to try? To change about your life?
Is there something you would be willing to try for 30 days?
Why do you want to try this?
Do you think the change would be sustainable if you succeeded in doing it for 30
days?
What is so special about the 30 day time period?
Video 8: Drew Dudley “Leading with Lollipops”
Link: http://tedxtoronto.com/speakers/drew-dudley/#
Length: 6:21
Points of Discussion: Leadershipcapacity, personal influence, agents for change
Questions for Discussion:
Have you ever had a “lollipop moment”?
Has anyone ever thanked you for your influence on his or her life?
Have you ever wanted to thank someone for his or her influence on your life?
Do you consider yourself a leader?
What do you think of Drew Dudley’s opinions about leadership?
Do you agree or disagree with his opinions? Why or why not?
What influence does you culture have on this opinion of leadership?