Tweets re: the Arts, Technology, and Education

Over the years (2007-2013) Chambers posted comments about the Arts, Technology, and Education on Twitter:

Showcase your students' products, they become motivators/great teaching tools for the next wave - set up a Web page.

 

 “Whatever” for our students today is a very real concept, for them, stemming from an attitude created via media that everything's cool.

 

Core subjects CAN be exciting - challenge students via lesson plans with ACTIVE components - ANIMATE!

 

There's nothing greater than the power of a photograph to help students write [LTP (Literacy Through Photography)].

 

Walk about the classroom and engage your students like there's “no tomorrow”. This “sense of urgency” just might be the “key”.

 

Most students like graffiti, it's cool - make sure you let them know it's an art form - it has its PROPER place - can be used to build vocabulary.

 

Students tasked to research company websites to produce flyers, familiarity with products/services - sensitization to workplace -

Have students work outside the box - stand on it, paint it, move it about, and then rip it apart - you get the idea.

 

Have students look at something from more than one perspective - enhances critical thinking.

 

One way to motivate students who don't want to do much is to be in their faces with a look on your face that shows concern, not frustration.

 

If you don't consider teaching an adventure for you and your students, you need to change canoes - Lewis and Clark would agree.

 

”Extended learning” is too formal for kids - how about “follow-up time”, and stress how important it is in all aspects of life.

 

Most students will stop misbehaving if they are told that they can take control of the learning process, make the subject their own.

 

The only true approach to improve reading skills is for mom and dad to read with their children.

 

If you walk into the classroom thinking “your way” is “their way”, first of all, you're mistaken, and secondly, you have immediately created a barrier.

 

Group students around teacher's desk, teacher sits among student desks - make the point about them taking control of the learning process.

 

Our students are a “What's up?” generation - teach accordingly.

 

Teach Math and the Arts simultaneously, e.g., calculate the areas of Malevich's “Black Square” [s sqd] and “Black Circle” [pi r sqd].

 

The gist of education is empowering students to teach students.

 

Your passions should find and TRANSFORM the classroom to move your students forward and upward.

 

I'm very uncomfortable with what I don't know - this irritant motivates me to keep striving - in the classroom - for my students.

 

There are more questions than answers, and this is the way it should be to keep humanity on track with its curiosity.

 

Our knowledge gives students confidence in the learning process - it adds a comfortableness factor to their approach.

 

Personalization as it relates to the student should translate as OWNERSHIP and RELEVANCE.

 

Technology should FACILITATE, make pedagogy EXCITING to MOTIVATE, ENGAGE, and EMPOWER the student for greater understanding and retention.

 

The purpose of education is to learn the basics, and become culturally literate - the “rest” will follow over a lifetime.

 

Be a VISIONARY teacher - will lead to future VISIONARY leaders - those students sitting in the classroom.

 

Why can't teachers understand - it's RELEVANT to their teaching that students need RELEVANCE re: their assignments.

 

The teacher should meld with the students to create a collective learning environment - a group consciousness that feeds “self”.

 

I’m effective in the classroom because I’ve come from the OUTSIDE, conditioned to the requirements of society as they relate to skill sets.

 

The so-called “best” teaching tools are inadequate. What is needed is the passionate plea from the teacher via the subject matter.

 

One thing that is missing in the classroom is RELEVANCE. Kids don't study, and learn because they don't feel the need.

 

Don't dictate to your students - ask them HOW they would like to approach the assignment to make it more exciting/meaningful - for THEM.

 

Students should keep a diary of what they accomplish on a daily basis - incentive to achieve - no accomplishments? - time to evaluate.

 

I know why students are failing subjects. It's because most teachers don't know how to move among them [students], and “rap” the content.

 

If you're “a work in progress”, students will notice this evolutionary aspect of the psyche, and then strive to match - like teacher, like student.

Teaching should be effective, not revered - respect should come through achievement via students' skills/abilities.

 

Have your students write/calculate what they know - see what they come up with – “ED MEMORIES”.

 

Told my students to NOT depend on their teachers - to depend on themselves, long term.

 

Use passion and a “bit of tech”, perhaps, to conjure up passion within students to move their thinking forward and upward.

 

The purpose of education has been, is, and always will be - BASICS and CULTURAL LITERACY.

 

Opportunity is what it's all about, and our students DO look for it every day in the classroom.

 

And it's an art form to learn - this realization by the students will have all of them as “ARTISTS” in their way of thinking.

 

One-on-one is where it's at, and the adept teacher can make this happen for the 20-25 students per classroom.

 

Teaching - practice like the medical profession - an MD gives 110% to save a patient’s life, so should the teacher to educate the student.

 

Too bad we can't package, and market our dreams - script/production values already in place - wish they could write to disc.

 

If you're not inherently a life-long learner, you shouldn't be in the teaching profession.

 

Absolutely - remove their “blinders” - use “eyewash” - and then explain to them what the word, “misconception” means.

 

Yes, huge issue - the “critical thinking gap” - lack of “step-by-step” logic - not their fault - the system's.

 

I agree/Adobe states, “Students should be active authors/creators, not just observers of digital content.” re: industry-standard software.

 

In the middle of, and up close and personal is “where it's at” if you want your students to learn, and achieve. Don't teach from afar.

 

For students to want to study and learn ... FASCINATE THEM!

 

Use pixelscapes for some cool Math - magnify digital images to calculate areas/ratios:

 

NOT okay - kids need to read the classics - realize that there's a foundation to society through the generations - ETC!

 

Have you ever noticed how “most” coaches are successful with their teams? It's because they are up close and personal with their message.

 

A lot of our children walk into school with “education” being the least important thing on their minds because of their poverty situation.

 

I remember the librarians more than some of my teachers - a long time ago.

 

Ask students to emulate you if you're the kind of person that people should look up to.

 

On day one, hand students their “purpose”, and then fulfill it throughout the school year - purpose means everything - motivation.

 

In order for students to learn, work with them the same way you would work with your own children.

 

ENGAGE your students - they need it - they desire it!

 

With all of the digital distractions, kids don't want the “standard stuff” in the classroom, so use those distractions in tandem to their advantage.

 

Have your students evaluate themselves -

set exams aside - a litmus test for the psyche - a starting point to build upon - a REALIZATION.

 

Have your students vocalize in formal settings - much needed so they can converse professionally at some point in time.

 

We all need to focus on the basics and cultural literacy regardless of the tools we use.

 

After “lecture”, group the students, move into their midst, and then ask, “What's up?” about the subject content.

 

Do a “face check” [expression] as you deliver the assignment, and then tweak accordingly.

 

There should be relatively NO stress if the educational process is balanced between students and teacher.

 

If teachers need “tips”, they shouldn't be in the classroom.

 

Hope for later because anticipation is what makes life exciting and worthwhile.

 

Wake up students by asking why they came to school - if “had to” is heard, change their psyche to “wanted to” via your actions.

 

Tell students that they are “walking experiments” - they might begin to look at lab activities/procedures a bit differently.

 

Yes, kids matter - rock their world - make a difference in their lives - they won't forget – “forward and upward”.

 

If you have to resort to bonus pay, that administration, those teachers need to be replaced - teaching should be pursued as an OATH.

 

Yes, and what he is today determines who he will be tomorrow, so the important time for action is NOW.

 

The lifespan of an effective teacher is extended via the success of his/her students.

 

To ask a student to pay attention is to engage him at the organic level - close to nature - how he fits into the scheme of things.

 

Almost all of us “work to live and survive”, and some of us are driven – “live to work” - to find meaning.

 

If you have a great librarian – “the guiding light” - students will want to achieve.

 

There's no such thing as “the farther away the future is” - the so-called “future” is only a plan “in the now”.

 

The key is working with the “imbalance” in creative ways to create dynamics that feed the psyche and the “soul” [if you believe].

 

Have students walk around a concept in their minds as you walk around a chair to demonstrate “thinking” from different viewpoints.

 

Absolutely - a completed lesson plan doesn't necessarily mean that the students gained the knowledge - we shouldn't be complacent.

 

And when I say “rap”, I mean sit in the middle of youth, and explain/convey the content as if you were a coach in the midst of a huddle.

 

Only if we allow them to “mentally drop out” - we can't allow this - really shouldn't have this problem if we are doing our job.

 

Waking up for school is the worst part of the morning - too early. The best part of the day is being in school - make it cool!

 

Give your students an open-book exam, see how difficult it may seem for them to find the info, it's because they don't know how - help them.

 

Refining your work is a life-long process - have patience.

 

Have students cover the aftermath of a disaster to instill greater empathy – “Post Ike”.

 

Technology is not the answer, it's just a way. The answer is how the teacher uses technology or any other “tool”.

 

Human activity is based on opinion, and I have my students write theirs re: topics/issues to practice/prepare.

 

Challenging the student to take control of the learning process is tantamount to his/her enthusiasm to want to know and complete the task.

 

Introduce students to website listings by having them search their surname to discover “what's out there” via their namesake - monitor.

 

Banner production - a great way for students to work with creative writing, graphic arts, Internet economics - vocational.

 

To understand school system, have students work with school website to make brochures vocational.

 

Encourage students to write in unbridled fashion via web pages - notepad [HTML] to fantastical Web page - vocational.

 

Turn UP the volume, student “Electronica” via Audacity - young people love sound/music - like to make it - vocational.

 

The best thing a teacher can do - listen to students' suggestions, particularly these days of “The Digital Revolution”.

 

Create real-world connections for students - Early American History.

 

If students are bored and/or confused with subject content, have them take control.

Another way of empowering students to teach students - Web Stories - morals and values.

 

If there's anything I can say about education today, it's the fact that our young people are fantastic! We as teachers can't fail them!

 

The American Dream is indeed real, the problem is, a lot of us have ended up mismanaging it.

 

I prefer, “learning is difficult or a challenge, and practice will help,” there's no need for “failure” to be implied.

 

Respect and attention will come through “good deeds” - they say - so let's translate those in the classroom.

 

Like this - if you exude a positive attitude - you're a doer - the students can't help but follow you!

 

If an ESL student is in your classroom who can't write in English - write in native tongue so he can feel free with his expression, translate later.

 

Give exams orally so students get used to verbal commands and requests they will have to endure at the workplace - helps them pay attention.

 

Have the parent not only sit in the class as observer, but also as guest speaker - rotate through students' parents.

 

You know you're a teacher when your students travel to other schools, and are able to teach their students software skills.

 

True Professional Development is “getting your hands dirty”.

 

If you have to reignite your passion for teaching, you shouldn't be in the classroom!

 

Visualize your students as “spheres” radiating outward in all directions, sensing infinite number of points - reason why “real” education is necessary.

 

Sometimes, there's no need to “lead” or “follow”.

 

I really like this - to move to the next level, incorporate “rainbow” thinking to break the mold - change the Lesson Plan.

 

I disagree with teachers that say, “I'm trapped within the strict confines of the curriculum.” Use the same curriculum DIFFERENTLY!

 

It's not “the tools” - it's the concept behind any tool that moves the student forward and upward.

 

Pokemon is effective because of insect collecting, almost all children like this - fascinating like our classrooms SHOULD be.

 

Some teachers are great because of their intellect - they teach in a “surround” world, from a three hundred and sixty-degree perspective.

 

Digital Literacy is a “consciousness” that must be translated to our students.

 

Use GIMP to visualize word meanings - an exciting way to build vocabulary.

 

Students used to ask me re: work – “Is this okay, is this enough?” - not anymore - it has to be okay and enough for them - they need to decide.

 

A disrupted education system should look vibrant with the students taking control and leading the way.

Successful students make a successful teacher, and success is relative.

 

 “Do everything, say anything, be all.” - Welcome criticism in a different light.

 

Hold any object in the air, and ask your students to write about it. This will screen the class for those philosophers lurking about.

 

Discipline problems in the classroom are a result of students not respecting the teacher - students know, and they respect SMART teachers.

 

Explain INNOVATION to your students, and then ask them if they think it's important.

 

Lay out/project several photographs, and then have students imagine/discuss the kind of people who made the images - great for storytelling.

 

The word “struggle” is too negative for me and my students. We prefer the word, “challenge”.

 

Malevich did it, so can your students - “Black Square”, starting point for Math calculations and Art.

 

Take a serious peek [monitor] as students take advantage of free time online - become aware of digital desires for project incorporation.

 

A good way to empower students is to have them host their work at an event - Houston Audubon Society Gala.

Provide purpose in the classroom, and students will “beg” for participation.

When you have a student [anyone] look at a photograph, make sure you make mention of the person who took it to humanize the exercise.

 

If you can effect time management/study habits/work ethic in the classroom, understanding of content and its application will follow.

When real-world situations become part of the learning path, they will beckon students to begin to think about their role in society.

 

Add an element of transcendence - ways to display student work in public places - students will learn that their work is relevant.

 

Precise MOTIVATION and ENGAGEMENT via cognitive/creative planning and technological

hands-on will EMPOWER students to want to learn.

 

Get the students in front of the class as much as possible to wake up the “inner self” - “shake, rattle, and roll”!

 

Real-world connections [relevance] motivate students to want to do more.

 

Don't people [teachers] realize that youth [students] desire an active environment - these digital natives that we have in our classrooms.

 

When a student is lethargic, confront by making him/her a leader and/or classmate tutor - all that is sometimes needed.

 

Tell your students that it is okay to have “attitude” as long as it is “smart” - achievements in society are a result of such.

 

The great motivator - a sense of awe/pride/self-worth as eighth graders prepare their resumes to enter high school.

If you feverishly wad up a piece of paper in front of your students, and then call it art, they will begin to understand process/passion and product.

 

I don't even know what my mother's favorite flower was - make sure your students know – “To know one's parents” -

One of my students likes “Rap”, don't they all, so voice-record, mix with a beat [Audacity], and voila – “TECH RAP” -

Two + two = five when you ask your students to make more of a situation - critical thinking with a “pinch” of creativity.

 

Teach your students based on who you are. If you're passionate - if you're creative - if you're caring - it will rub off.

 

Simple hand coding in notepad can lead to a fantastical experience for the students.

Have students use Google Earth and crop circles [real] to study Math, Art and humanity [ecology].