Creative and collaborative equals real-world impact
Social justice education is about preparing and helping our learners to make a positive difference in the world. This video shows you how creative, collaborative projects in the classroom can build skills and empathy, and create real-world impact.
Before viewing
Reflect on the questions and discuss with a colleague if possible.
How do you help your learners connect what they learn in class with the world outside? How important do you think it is to do this?
Read the five headings below. For each one, think what types of projects you could do.
- Awareness campaigns
- Community storytelling
- School action projects
- Collaborate locally
- Creative advocacy
While watching
Watch the video. Make a note of the ideas for projects that are given for each tip.
Watch 'Creative and collaborative equals real-world impact'
- Answers
Awareness campaigns: Learners can help inform the school community about issues that are important to them. They can create artwork, videos and social media posts, organise workshops, design school challenges and competitions.
Community storytelling. Learners collect stories from parents, grandparents or neighbours, then present them as a podcast, wall display, performance or class book.
School action projects. Learners can take practical action. They can plant a garden, organise a book swap or start a kindness wall.
Collaborate locally. Work with a library, charity or cultural centre. Learners could organise donations, create art for an event or share their language skills.
Creative advocacy. Use art, music, theatre or digital media to express ideas for change. For example, a play on fairness, a photo exhibition on inclusion or a song about the environment.
- Transcript
Creative and collaborative equals real-world impact.
Social justice education is all about making a difference in the world. So how can classroom learning move beyond worksheets and into the real world? When learners connect learning to action, they see that their voices matter.
Creative, collaborative projects build skills, empathy and create real-world impact. So what does this look like?
One: Awareness campaigns. Learners can help inform the school community about issues that are important to them. Along with creating artwork, videos and social media posts, they could organise workshops, design school challenges and competitions.
Two: Community storytelling. Learners collect stories from parents, grandparents or neighbours, then present them as a podcast, wall display, performance or class book.
Three: School action projects. Learners can take practical action. Small steps count. They can plant a garden, organise a book swap or start a kindness wall. Social justice starts close to home.
Four: Collaborate locally. Work with a library, charity or cultural centre. Learners could organise donations, create art for an event or share their language skills.
Five: Creative advocacy. Use art, music, theatre or digital media to express ideas for change. For example, a play on fairness, a photo exhibit on inclusion or a song about the environment.
And what about us, the teachers? Projects don't have to be big. Even small learner-led actions show that they can make a difference. Our role is to guide, support and connect classroom skills to real-world impact.
When learners create together, collaborate with others and act for change, learning doesn't just stay in the classroom, it shapes the world around them.
After viewing
Would you like to try any of these projects with your learners?
What might be positive/challenging about doing projects like these where you teach?
Share your answers in the comments below.
This series of videos explores how teachers can approach English language teaching in a way that helps learners express themselves respectfully, listen with empathy, address real-world social issues in a sensitive way and stay resilient. These videos are to help you create classrooms where learners can grow, feel confident in themselves and connect with each other and the world.
Watch the other videos in this series here:
Dialogue, not debate
Representing people, not issues
Creating safe and brave spaces
Avoiding harm and respecting boundaries
Responding to pushback
Further resources
This article explains how you can make your classroom more collaborative using a range of activities and practical learning strategies.
How can I make my classroom more collaborative?
Read this article to learn more about how to include community projects in your classes.
How can I include community projects in my classroom?
This lesson plan asks learners to discuss and suggest practical ways that schools can help support new students to make their experience of starting school more positive.