According
to Vanessa Domine, “technology is merely a vehicle through which the young consumer can
attain social, cultural, and economic power” (Domine, 43). Today technology
plays an important role in the lives of students and the general public. When
applied to education, technology can transform the classroom experience for all
participants. Through out history, the advancement of technology has changed
and improved. From starting off with the basic chalkboard slate to impressive
Internet technology that provides an infinite amount of knowledge. With the
advent of new technology, classroom focus has moved from individual to group
instruction. Although there have been many technological advancements, I feel
that instructional films and television programs are one of the most, if not
the most, important innovations in the classroom. This form of technology is especially important/impactive when applied to a Social
Studies classroom environment.
The
video we watched portrays film and videos as one of the first major progressive
movements in instructional technology. This type of media provided a new means of visual
instruction. Instructional films has helped with teaching in overcrowded
classrooms and with cost expenses by providing an affordable means of
instruction; as textbooks can be very expensive. According to the video, films
made their first appearance in the classroom in the 1930s, although their use
declined in the mid 1980s. However, they are still utilized today. In Domine’s
essay, she states “TV and film—both as technologies and as media—are powerful
agents of history, politics and society at large”(Domine, 46). I feel like this
quote demonstrates the impact/importance of this type of technology
particularly in the Social Studies content area.
In Social Studies, teachers may show
videos with propaganda, to give an idea of what people were subjected to at an
earlier time. Videos from specific time periods, like World War II can be used
to help students visualize the time period. Another idea for Social Studies
could be the use of motion pictures to separate fact from fiction in a
historical context. Such as watching the film Schindler's List, and having the students investigate what parts of the film were historically accurate, and what parts were complete fiction. However, in this form of media, students can be exposed to
censorship through protectionism. Protectionism is, “a perspective based on the
fear that technology can and does exert harmful influences upon users” (Domine,
53). Someone determines what is appropriate and inappropriate for students, can
this be harmful to the education process? I believe the answer can be subjective.
Instructional films and the move from individual to group learning.
I absolutely agree that technology changes the classroom experience for students; it makes it more exciting and interactive. I wrote about instructional videos as well in the Social Studies classroom! Instead of students just reading about a war in history they can see a reenactment of it on TV. When I watch Schindler’s List it helps you picture a horrific part of history. Videos definitely enhance teaching, but I do believe that books still should be used as much as motion pictures.
ReplyDeleteI like that you used instructional films for your picture and caption because I feel like a good deal of the reading for this assignment talked about TV use in the classroom as a technology that many teachers were pressured to use. Although they were helpful, I got the impression that schools were more concerned with using TV and films to teach, rather than using them effectively to improve a lesson.
ReplyDeleteI think the introduction of films into the classroom has greatly changed the way students learn and educators teach. For my post, I too chose instructional films and movies. I think that films allow students to experience histriocal events in a way that they otherwise would not have been able to. For example, we can teach about WWII but seeing troops, weapons and battles come to live on a screen adds an entirely new dimension to a lesson. Of course it is not authentic, but it is a great way to supplement reading materials. Also, I think that most students enjoy watching films and it's a good way to keep them engaged. Furthermore, I think it stimulates discussion on the classroom. As Carly wrote, films allow us to picture an event in history to which we were not witness.
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