For their advertising campaign, they videotape and edit television commercials, use tape recorders to create radio jingles and write and illustrate print pieces using computer software and digital cameras. The project addresses curriculum objectives in several subject areas. Valerie says that students work on language skills by producing ads for their invention. They learn about different advertising techniques and which are most appropriate for their project. Math skills are developed as students manage their advertising budget, using spreadsheets to track the money they spend on their campaign.
Science is involved in the study of the inventions and inventors.
The technology skills are approached as a means to create the end product. This use of technology allows all students to be successful and to create quality products, according to Valerie and David. Mainstreamed students do particularly well in this course. Since students work in pairs and have a choice of several types of project to complete, every student can find at least one area in which they shine. A student who has trouble with the written report may excel in the area of multimedia production or be a whiz with spreadsheets.