Film Studies...helpful or harmful? I remember throughout my schooling when a teacher would have us watch a science video. We didn't have to take notes, there would be no questions or quiz, and absolutely no retention or learning took place. I distinctly remember doodling or writing notes to my friends while "watching" these movies. The teacher would often be feverishly grading papers or doing some type of work while the movie played.
On the other hand, however, in high school, one English teacher would play movies (actual Hollywood movies, not documentaries) with the intent that we learn. The movies would reinforce a particular concept (Joseph Campbell's hero cycle, for example) which would then need to be referenced in a paper, and would more often that not, show up on a quiz, and eventually, a test.
The difference between the two scenarios is this: purpose. Sure, the science video probably corresponded to the current classroom study, but the purpose was to give the teacher a bit of extra work time. It's quite possible (probable) that the English teacher caught up on work while we watched movies, but the movies weren't shown so he could work...see the difference?
Yes I agree, it is all in how they are used. If the teacher has a clear purpose in mind, then the students will benefit from the movie. However, if they are just simply in need of time to grade or don't feel like teaching that day then nothing will be gained. I have had this go both ways as well. Some teachers implement movies well and others not so much. We just have to make sure we are one of the former and not the latter.
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