8 Ways to Inspire Students
1. Photographs. Teachers can show examples of photographs that have changed, or are changing the world and tell the story behind them. For example, Sabastao Selgado’s GENISIS project photos which, “…along with the Salgados’ Instituto Terra, are dedicated to showing the beauty of our planet, reversing the damage done to it, and preserving it for the future.” (Tachen, 2013)
2. Be Examples. Teachers can inspire students by being the examples of success. For photo educator Sejal Patel, “I fill two roles in my career, that of a teacher and an artist. I teach to bring change and I create to be the change. I consider making photographs as vital to my success as a teacher. I see myself as an artist-teacher hybrid who spans the world of art making by being constantly engaged in making and exhibiting work. “ (2/24/15)
3. Student Stories. Students are a good source for inspirational stories. Teachers can ask learners for stories about or examples of things that inspire or have inspired them.
4. Videos. Teachers can reserve 5-10 minutes of class to show a short inspirational video. There are many photo related stories on Youtube and there is a list of TED Talks on Photography that can be found with an Internet search.
5. Student Goals and Aspirations. Teachers could encourage students to pursue an image making path that inspires them and offer connections as resources to support the journey.
6. Quotes. Inspirational quotes by photographers could either be read in class, emailed, texted, or tweeted to students. They could also be posted regularly on the photography program’s facebook page.
7. Teach. Photographer Don Giannatti’s Philosophy of Teaching begins with, “Tell the story. Say what we are going to learn. In detail. [Then,] Show what we are talking about. See it as well as hear it. [And finally,] Do it. Make it happen… listen, see and do.” (2/25/15)
8. Choose Your Words Carefully. Wording can have a large impact on the way a teacher inspires students. For example, the way requests are made can influence the way students will respond. Think about the way these three examples can either engage and inspire students or turn them off:
Least Inspiring: “One of the rules for this class is that you must keep your cell phones turned off and stowed. Otherwise your grade will suffer.”
Moderately Inspiring: “Out of respect for your me and your classmates it would be great if you kept your cell phones off during class and put them away. What procedures can we put together to help everyone in the class remember?”
Most Inspiring: “I expect everyone in the class to turn off their cell phones and put them in their backpacks. In fact, I will be the first one to put my cell phone away and promise you that I won’t have my cell phone on or on my desk during class. Sometimes it’s hard for me to remember to put it away, so if you see it out, I ask you to please remind me so I won’t be distracted by the sound of a text coming in.” (Harmin & Toth, 2006)
1. Photographs. Teachers can show examples of photographs that have changed, or are changing the world and tell the story behind them. For example, Sabastao Selgado’s GENISIS project photos which, “…along with the Salgados’ Instituto Terra, are dedicated to showing the beauty of our planet, reversing the damage done to it, and preserving it for the future.” (Tachen, 2013)
2. Be Examples. Teachers can inspire students by being the examples of success. For photo educator Sejal Patel, “I fill two roles in my career, that of a teacher and an artist. I teach to bring change and I create to be the change. I consider making photographs as vital to my success as a teacher. I see myself as an artist-teacher hybrid who spans the world of art making by being constantly engaged in making and exhibiting work. “ (2/24/15)
3. Student Stories. Students are a good source for inspirational stories. Teachers can ask learners for stories about or examples of things that inspire or have inspired them.
4. Videos. Teachers can reserve 5-10 minutes of class to show a short inspirational video. There are many photo related stories on Youtube and there is a list of TED Talks on Photography that can be found with an Internet search.
5. Student Goals and Aspirations. Teachers could encourage students to pursue an image making path that inspires them and offer connections as resources to support the journey.
6. Quotes. Inspirational quotes by photographers could either be read in class, emailed, texted, or tweeted to students. They could also be posted regularly on the photography program’s facebook page.
7. Teach. Photographer Don Giannatti’s Philosophy of Teaching begins with, “Tell the story. Say what we are going to learn. In detail. [Then,] Show what we are talking about. See it as well as hear it. [And finally,] Do it. Make it happen… listen, see and do.” (2/25/15)
8. Choose Your Words Carefully. Wording can have a large impact on the way a teacher inspires students. For example, the way requests are made can influence the way students will respond. Think about the way these three examples can either engage and inspire students or turn them off:
Least Inspiring: “One of the rules for this class is that you must keep your cell phones turned off and stowed. Otherwise your grade will suffer.”
Moderately Inspiring: “Out of respect for your me and your classmates it would be great if you kept your cell phones off during class and put them away. What procedures can we put together to help everyone in the class remember?”
Most Inspiring: “I expect everyone in the class to turn off their cell phones and put them in their backpacks. In fact, I will be the first one to put my cell phone away and promise you that I won’t have my cell phone on or on my desk during class. Sometimes it’s hard for me to remember to put it away, so if you see it out, I ask you to please remind me so I won’t be distracted by the sound of a text coming in.” (Harmin & Toth, 2006)