Why comics belong in the classroom | Gene Yang | TEDxManhattanBeach

In this humorous talk, former teacher and graphic novelist Gene Yang shares some unexpected insights and urges educators to bring comic books into the classroom.
A 2016 MacArthur fellow, Gene Luen Yang began drawing comics in the fifth grade. “American Born Chinese”, Yang’s first graphic novel, put him on the map. A finalist for the National Book Award, the book caused a controversy over whether graphic novels were
Currently, Gene is writing the middle-grade, computer programming series Secret Coders, illustrated by Mike Holmes. Gene is a strong proponent of using comics in education, and of representing diversity through the comics medium, which he does in all of his comics work. After speaking out against the lack of diversity in the casting of the Avatar: The Last Airbender movie, Yang was asked to write the Avatar: The Last Airbender comics, which he does to this day, as well as co-writing Superman for DC Comics. Yang is also a founding member of the Bay Area’s Art Night Crew, a local group of cartoonists.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@maddiwallace8898]

If you are looking for an argument on a research paper, 5:11-5:22 is the perfect spot to look at.

[@BellaCintya]

Thanks! Much appreciated :)

[@corrinflakes9659]

I finished High School last year, one year and even though nobody did, when we got to choose books to read for projects, comics and graphic novels were completely allowed.

[@slashbash1347]

This is my first time hearing him speak. I'm a big fan of his work. Love how nuanced his writing is.

[@helenpark2487]

I know him in person he's my sunday school teacher :)

[@eduardoruiz7600]

My university has an English class with Watchmen as a unit so that’s cool

[@hagenqian]

YESSS I WANT MY TEACHER TO LET US READ COMIC BOOKS DURING CLASS

[@bazookaboy4425]

My school allows comics they even have graphic novels in the library but their selection is awful they have like 3 superman books and 1 batman book and a bunch of other ones like amulet but a total of 4 D.C. Books

[@camila_costa12]

Chris P. Bacon I used to do that when I was I child but hidden in the classroom.

[@bredan8084]

I believe this guy made my favorite graphic novel. Its called level up and its great.

[@fad23]

Thank you, Gene, for including Zot! on the spinner rack image. That book, and many of the others you included in your presentation had a profound effect on me.
Now when is Secret Coders book 2 coming out?

[@ComicsTeacher]

Gene is a great dude with great books! I love keeping his titles in my classroom!

[@NandoManya14]

I loved this, thank you so much for that talk!

[@real_ace_jimmy]

This is amazing thank you so much for this talk Gene! :D

[@superheroenjoyer6763]

Comics that should be a unit in English. Watchmen and batman year one

[@OTAEN7]

yes!

[@davidaaronartist]

Its an existencial question, very important teacher. Sup vs Hulk

[@aizpruart6261]

He changes the pictures without even looking at them. 😮

[@Badbugz]

excellent great job.

[@Em-dl8jv]

sksksk watching this because we're analyzing American Born Chinese in English

[@flamingfilms]

Thank you sir! I try to tell people the value of comics, but every one just looks at me sideways, maybe you can change this mindset. I mean people learn to read because of comics, yet they are frowned upon and outright banned for reading material in schools.

[@crown_resident]

Gene Yang, your cool

[@rucitukana5375]

2020 School Project - Lets Make Comics

[@adelinaleon4745]

Such great video

[@corrinflakes9659]

Honestly, I only read Gene Yang's take on Avatar: The Last Airbender. But I still love his writing.

[@slashbash1347]

If you want to read some of his independent works, I recommend Boxers & Saints, American Born Chinese, and The Shadow Hero.

[@malu7v782]

I just came here for class work
*Help*

[@MouseCIick]

better late than never i guess.
i would probably enjoy school more when there is more pictures.
i only really remember the pictures in textbook.

[@johnnysmith2893]

silly me by comic I thought class clown not comic books

[@INDIANXxhgpp9907]

3:30 but on video you were unbearable!
4:00 now moment

[@abhanli790]

ENKA da myp yapan ?

[@jayvo1_]

who in mr wasson class

[@cookies7280]

POV- Your in class on a webex meeting looking for the thesis, ethos, pathos and logos

[@Fran-rc9dd]

You can not have comic books in school because it's not a real book

[@lenaurban7706]

You’re really narrow minded..

[@rpf8949]

What is a "real" book?

[@Fran-rc9dd]

In my school

[@rpf8949]

@@Fran-rc9dd What about your school? There are books in your school? There are books at the school I teach at. There are books at my house. What is your point? How does that answer the question “what is a ‘real’ book?”