Shaking Up Shakespeare: Digital Tools for Digital Students

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, July/August 2022 Issue

By Deanna Ratzki

Unless you have an affinity for Shakespeare, there’s a good chance that you wouldn’t consider studying the Bard a highlight of your education. In the intermediate and senior classroom, there are always students who groan at even the mention of his name. Many of them dread reading Shakespeare out of fear of not understanding the words, or because they think his works have nothing to do with their 21st century interests.

It’s easy to perpetuate such beliefs if you, too, dreaded studying this subject as a student, like I did, and now also dread teaching it. In both high school and university I avoided Shakespeare’s works like the plague! Fortunately, in my case all it took was one BEd instructor who made it her goal to change my mind, and all of a sudden Shakespeare was transformed for me.

While pursuing my BEd, the Program Director, Stephanie Thompson, challenged my perceptions of Shakespeare, and ended up converting myself and fellow skeptical teacher candidates into some of the most effective teachers of his content.

In a two-part lesson dubbed “Shaking up Shakespeare,” Professor Thompson provided the class with a myriad of resources to genuinely engage today’s students with yesterday’s plays. Professor Thompson even inspired me to create my own assignments that blend current social media trends with inquiry-based learning, allowing students to explore Shakespeare’s relevance and enjoy themselves while doing so.

Below you’ll find examples of these assignments, along with some digital tools I’ve used in my own classroom to approach Shakespeare in a contemporary and Gen-Z-friendly manner.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .
Avatar photo

Deanna Ratzki has an honours degree from Toronto Metropolitan University. She is is expected to graduate this year from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and receive her BEd.

Education News

National Principals of the Year Announced

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) have named the 2025–26 National Principals of the Year.

Is Your Child’s Literacy on Vacation? How Parents Can Beat the Summer Slide

Did you know students can lose up to two months of learning progress over summer break? Here's how to tackle the “summer slide” and keep kids engaged.

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Join Our Newsletter

Get 10% off a subscription, monthly giveaways, and the latest updates—straight to your inbox!

Deanna Ratzki
Deanna Ratzki
Deanna Ratzki has an honours degree from Toronto Metropolitan University. She is is expected to graduate this year from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and receive her BEd.

Advertisement

Read More

National Principals of the Year Announced

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) have named the 2025–26 National Principals of the Year.

Guardians of the Coast: Building Kids’ Confidence Through Art

I was recently involved with an art exhibition in the Thanet District of Kent, England, that helped students see themselves as artists, advocates, and changemakers.

Is Your Child’s Literacy on Vacation? How Parents Can Beat the Summer Slide

Did you know students can lose up to two months of learning progress over summer break? Here's how to tackle the “summer slide” and keep kids engaged.

The Power of Music and Melody: Using Songs to Engage Young Learners

By harnessing the power of music, teachers can create a lively and dynamic atmosphere that also improves concentration, focus, and retention.

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

Real (and Really Funny) Math

I'm an author of math books, which may sound like a dry job, but that’s exactly why I do it. It’s my goal to show kids that math can be fun (and funny!)
giải vô địch brazil | casino uy tín | thống kê xổ số bắc ninh | pci card in pci express slot | reel money slot | giauto86 club | chat se | fret slotting jig | wyandotte nation casino | casino royale | rizk slots | free welcome bonus no deposit required casino uk | casino png | bally slot machines | giá xe exciter 135 cũ | code football master 2 | kiểm soát điều kiện fo3 | free slot games with bonus rounds | casino png | bitsat slot | casino software provider | carousel casino | slotted strut | truyện tranh sex màu | địa chỉ dự an casino nam hội an | mobile casino echtgeld | 777win casino | casino fh | slot là j | play casino games online | sodo pro | shopee app | đồ sơn casino | unibet casino online | xem bói bài tây | maxims club casino | trực tiếp đá gà casino 67 hôm nay | jackpotcity com casino en ligne | hd slot machine | chinese casino game | new pay by mobile casino | casino vip program | dafu casino hack | epic casino | vòng loại world cup 2022 khu vực bắc mỹ | casino 1995 trailer | nextgen slots | plaza hotel and casino las vegas | qq288 slot | dubai palace casino | xuan ha thu dong tap 34 | maquinas de casino trucos | casino corona | dac biet năm | link sopcast bong da | đề về 02 | extra chilli slot demo play | lớp học đề cao thực lực manga | mobile online casino south africa | titanbet casino | casino forum | go aircraft odd |