Three Unique Assignments You’ll Want to Replicate

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Today’s educators have yet to meet a challenge they can’t navigate. And according to our recent research, 50% of faculty say they feel comfortable handling their top challenges alone. Yet, one challenge stands out from the rest: the need to produce creative content to entertain students.

To help you overcome this hurdle, we asked our Faculty Partners across disciplines, including English, psychology and finance to share some of the creative assignments they’ve come up with to keep class both educational and fun for students. Here are three innovative ideas you should take note of.

1.    Social media profiles of characters

Do you ever wonder what your favorite literary character’s social media profile would look like if they had one? Kerry L. Frabizio, Associate Professor of English at Warren County Community College, told us about a unique group project she introduced to her English Composition students. It lets them develop social media personalities based on characters from some of the most iconic plays in American history.

Project instructions: Each group will create a fictional but realistic social media presence for each assigned character. Be creative, but stay true to the character’s attitude, motivations and story arc.

Required components: Students must produce the following for each of their assigned characters:

• Social Media Platform
• Handle/Username
• Profile Picture
• Occupation or Life Role
• Favorite Hashtags
• Followers/Following (Optional)
• One main post

This entertaining assignment reframes course content in a way that’s relatable and engaging for today’s tech-driven students.

2.     Music video discussion

You might know the lyrics to your favorite song by heart, but have you considered the deeper meaning or significance behind them? Marc Wilson, Ph.D. Professor and Director of Graduate Psychology Programs at Fisher College, has transformed that concept into a media-based assignment for his psychology students.

Each week, students watch a music video relevant to one or more of their course topics. They’re asked to respond to the video, discussing how they think the lyrics or video relate to one of the disorders they’re studying that week.

Additionally, students are asked to find and share media that they think reflects that week’s course material. This assignment not only helps students develop critical thinking and analysis skills, but also gives them an opportunity to connect with topics in a meaningful way.

3.     Discussion forum

If you’re looking for a creative assignment in finance, consider this discussion forum activity, courtesy of Ann Snell, Instructor, Business Administration at Alamance Community College. This activity gets students thinking critically about the role finance plays in their everyday lives, and the world around them. Each week, students receive engaging prompts based on their course content. They’re asked to reflect on questions like:

• What’s one financial goal you care about? This could be saving for a trip, paying off student loans, starting a business, or investing in your future. Why is it important to you?

• What’s something that represents your “money personality”? Maybe it’s your favorite budgeting app, a piggy bank, a vintage coin or even your go-to coffee splurge — anything that reflects your style with money.

• If you could work anywhere in the world, where would it be — and why?

 Students are allowed to record their answers on their phones or webcams. They can even use props to liven up their presentations.

These types of assignments get students actively engaged with their course content in. By tapping into their sense of creativity and imagination, they can grow into confident learners built for future success.