Forget TED Talks, EWC’s Tiger Talks Educates and Engages Local College Students

Shown is Emma Kent, Library Services of Edward Waters College and Prof. William Jackson, Educational Technology and Social Media Instructor who help facilitate the Tiger Talks.
Shown  is Emma Kent, Library Services of Edward Waters College and Prof. William Jackson, Educational Technology and Social Media Instructor who help facilitate the Tiger Talks.
Shown is Emma Kent, Library Services of Edward Waters College
and Prof. William Jackson, Educational Technology and Social Media Instructor who help facilitate the Tiger Talks.

TED, the nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas in the form of short, powerful talks began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged.Today, TED covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages usually in 18 minutes or less. Penny backing off of the success of the international sensation, Edward Waters College has created Tiger Talks, under the direction of Professor William Jackson.

The Tiger Talks Experience is designed to encourage EWC students to speak at an informal venue about their passions as students, share their dreams of future success and speak on life experiences, skills and abilities. Started in Professor Jackson’s Educational Technology and Social Media class, the goal was to expose EWC students to the dynamic discussions taking place on TEDx and TEDTALKS. The result was the TIGER TALKS Experiences.
Jackson hopes the concept will expand through a collaboration with other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) across the country and that it will grow into a national model.

“The skills of writing, presentation and articulation are what is lacking in graduating students across the nation as industry leaders claim. Writing is vital as a major communication tool in the majority of business, medicine, commerce and educational careers,” said Jackson.

Through the Tiger Experience, students learn to teach presentation skills, the importance of articulation when speaking, research and writing, blogging, content creation and even how to establish a brand. Ultimately, opportunities will be increased for HBCU students to network for jobs, internships and starting careers.

“HBCU institutions must be diligent in making sure that their students are able to compete in global markets that may take them to foreign nations where the opportunities may become professionally and financially stable,” Jackson added.

Thus far several students and faculty have attended and look forward to speaking in the future. Following their presentations, students are congratulated, provided door prizes and educational resources directing them to scholarships and internships.

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