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It seems as if just a few decades ago, students could only dream about using technology in the classroom. Now, dreams have become a reality. By drifting away from the orthodox and traditional teaching methods, educators are actually to improve the learning experience for the students. One of the best and easily accessible ways of implementing technology in education is by using movies. As time goes on, more and more professionals actually start to support the idea of educating by using movies. Of course, there are some benefits and disadvantages to using technology in a learning process, but let’s go over the basics for now. How is it possible for movies to be educational?
How movies can help students
When compared to textual information, visuals are usually far more memorable. When it comes to history, for example, movies can be a helpful tool because they allow students to understand the atmosphere, social values, and peculiarities of a specific time period better than some online tutoring services would. On the other hand, language students can watch some of their favorite films in a foreign language. Does not only such an approach help students understand information by listening, but it also presents language in its most natural, authentic, and varied state. However, films can also be used in STEM, so do not limit your perception of the usefulness of such an approach to humanities only.
Besides being implemented as a part of the curriculum itself, movies can be used to outline the topic that is to be studied. By building up interest and giving students a little break, educators can dramatically improve the atmosphere in a classroom, engagement, and ultimately, the outcomes of a learning process. Additionally, films do not present mere facts in a way a textbook would; they also give valuable life lessons in regard to multiple social issues.
The importance of interest
Let’s be real, we all remember thinking, “Oh no, I just don’t want to do my homework” at least once while we were in school. Of course, it can sometimes happen because of how complicated a topic is, but for most students, it is actually a result of not being interested in a subject. By implementing movies into the curriculum, educators can not only give students a little break from orthodox studying methods but also spike their interest in a specific topic or discipline as a whole.
When watching a movie, students are less likely to get distracted than when reading a textbook. For those who are not very motivated or interested in studying, films can be a great learning source. Besides, visuals help students create associations with specific phenomena or events, which will eventually improve their learning skills. If a movie has subtitles, it can also help to improve a student’s reading skills and memory.
Possible challenges
Despite the fact that it is possible to make films educational, there are definitely some challenges that should be acknowledged and overcome. The first and most obvious one is that not every teacher is ready to change the curriculum. Although the benefits of using technology in the classroom have been proven over and over again, some professionals may think that giving students some slack will result in them not being interested in a class. In order to deal with such an issue, it would be reasonable to conduct appropriate pieces of training for educators in various institutions.
On the other hand, it is critical that those teachers who choose to use movies in education do not rely on the films entirely. Of course, watching a movie such as “Glory” would be appropriate for a history class, but describing the historical background of the events and their value is just as important. Besides, not all films are historically accurate, which is why it is important for professors to point each inconsistency out. Such an approach will make for a lot of teachable moments for students. Overall, although watching a movie in a class may seem fun, teachers should treat such a contribution to the curriculum responsibly.
Although not all teachers have accepted the idea of the usefulness of using movies in the learning process, the number of professionals advocating for the implementation of such a practice is rising. We must say that this interest is not for nothing. The visuals allow many students to understand specific concepts better, which benefits their learning. Besides having many benefits for cognition, films are simply interesting, and people are more likely to dedicate their time to something they enjoy. Students are not an exception, which is why movies should be regarded as a powerful educational tool.
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