I have had the privilege of teaching entrepreneurship to high school students for nine years now. It is a subject that is constantly changing and never stays the same due to the nature of problems that need solved around the world. Entrepreneurship is both exhilarating and refreshing to teach. It is way of thinking and living life. Many of the students whom I teach will never start their own business, but they will have ideas in life that could turn into legit opportunities. Companies in 2021 and beyond don't just want people who can memorize formulas or ace a 100-question test. They want problem solvers who are creative and who can turn ideas into action! All teachers, no matter what subject they teach, can incorporate entrepreneurship into their curriculum by using these three simple ideas that better increase student creativity and innovation!
1. Encourage vertical or design thinking on assignments or projects. Ask students to look at a problem, reading, project, etc. and brainstorm ways by themself or with a partner on how it can be done a different or better way. Some examples:
History = Have students explore a new app or software that showcases the timeline of the Civil War.
Math = Show students how to solve it two different ways and allow them to practice in that way.
Science = Allow students to create their own experiment and find solutions to problems they care about.
English = Provide multiple choices on how students can showcase their learning of a book or topic they learned.
2. Idea journal. Have students set-up in Google Keep or another digital note taking app. In this digital journal, carve out time once or twice a week for students to brainstorm things that bug, annoy, pain, or problems they want to solve. If time, discuss and share how the things they brainstorm could solve problems or create new opportunities in the subject area you teach.
3. Bring the world into class. Whatever subject you teach, you have the power to make your class current and relevant. Sometimes it can be hard for students to see the relation between solving a math problem and how it impacts their life. Find ways as a teacher to share current events, news, and stories about your subject matter with students that keep them engaged and relating to the world around them. You could use Flipgrid to have students find a current event about what is going on in the science field and have students share their findings in under a minute via video. If you are teaching a unit on short stories, encourage students to go and find a current story that inspires them and utilize that for their story.
By challenging our students to practice creativity and innovation throughout their day, we are setting them up for what the future will ask and demand of them. The future will need problem solvers who can think outside the box and turn ideas into action! Let's continue to encourage our students to be creative and let their ideas shine bright.
