3. Cross-curricular projects
Rather than remaining siloed, departments often cross paths in the workplace to provide support in reaching each other’s goals. Media and presentation projects that blend subjects or classes can prepare students for working with people who have a skillset or goal unique from their own.
One example offered by the NEA to facilitate collaboration in the classroom is to have multiple classes investigate water runoff on their school grounds, with students being assigned interdependent roles. Students compile research and graphics to create a holistic report of their work. With media deliverables at the heart of inter-disciplinary projects, students learn more about the connections between concepts such as art, data analysis and writing.
4. Virtual meetings
Phone and video conferencing skills may seem easy to master, but in reality, virtual meetings take a strong skillset in technology and communication. As more interviews and professional meetings take place over video platforms, teachers can prepare students for a 21st century job market by practicing with video chat.
Teachers might have students video conference to work on a project, or have students connect with a mentor via video chat to learn more about a subject. With these practices, students will learn how to resolve technical issues, and how to properly use a microphone.
5. Video development
Creating video requires multiple skills that are likely to be helpful in a 21st century job market. In conjunction with the basic hardware and software used to create videos, students get experience in storytelling, design, communicating and audio mixing.
Depending on the video project, educators are able to teach curricular content while simultaneously focusing on the Four Cs—critical thinking about the content included in the video, communicating for a specific purpose to a target audience, collaboration with others contributing to the video, and creativity in video production.
With thoughtful planning and the right tools, AV use in the classroom promotes the uptake of 21st century skills, including how students think, work and understand technology. These foundational skills will benefit students in their career path whether they are building robots, curing a disease or even teaching a class about a subject we’ve yet to explore.