When I'm teaching music composition or marketing, a question that often crosses my mind is: In the 21st century's higher education, what knowledge do students really need? It's a contemporary challenge. They can "google" or "AI" information faster than I can finish a sentence in class. But here's the thing – technology doesn't quite solve it. In fact, too much screen time (and sugar in our life…) can seriously dampen creativity.

So, what skills are truly essential, despite the technological advancements we see in every field today? My way of tackling this in education is to take things back to the basics. I often wonder, what if we suddenly found ourselves without electricity on Earth? What skills would become crucial for communication, trade, negotiation, or even basic project management that retains a human touch? How would we approach the creation of sound and music, or storytelling, without our digital tools?

This approach helps both me and my students to go back to our cognitive processes. What are the foundational skills that stimulate our interactions and creations? By drawing parallels between historical and current practices (that makes historical examples more relevant in class), we gain a clearer perspective on our actions in the context of overwhelming palette of today’s choices.

It's a journey back to the basics, to rediscover the timeless skills that technology can't replace, and to celebrate our innate human ability to innovate, communicate, and connect. That is why we even draw, sing, dance, and play games during higher education classes. These activities are not diversions, they become integral to our learning process. Drawing enhances visual learning, enhancing memory and the ability to conceptualize complex ideas. Singing and dancing connect us to rhythm, pattern recognition, and the emotional dimensions of communication, fostering a sense of community and emotional intelligence. Playing games cultivates strategic thinking, adaptability, and an understanding of teamwork and leadership dynamics. These activities connect us to core human experiences, way before tech took over, getting students ready not just for jobs but for a life filled with creativity.

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In Picture: Interactive Teaching - Listen! Photo by Donatas Stankevičius