You don't need to invent new entertainment; you just need to remix what already exists. Here is how to deconstruct current pop culture for educational entertainment.

Popular media is designed for passive consumption. It is a one-way street. While the cinematography is stunning, the cognitive engagement is low. Students watch a Discovery Channel segment and feel they have "learned," but ask them to summarize it five minutes later, and you get a vacant stare.

In the battle for school entertainment, (streaming shows, video games, and influencer content) often feels like the easy winner. But educators and parents are discovering that homemade entertainment —games, crafts, and stories invented by the students themselves—offers a crucial set of benefits that a tablet simply cannot replicate.

While some may see homemade content as a distraction, it often fosters essential 21st-century skills. To create compelling school entertainment, students must master: Using tools like CapCut or Adobe Premiere.