Comments on: Schooltime TV

By: et

et — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:12:59 +0000

I don’t mind videos in class, but I find it hard to simply sit there and not add to the video. I recently showed part of “Saving Pvt. Ryan” and “Band of Brothers” in an 11th grade U.S. History block class (90 min). I did not just let them watch it. I spoke during it, adding to various portions and all. This means that they were also talking during the movie: asking questions, adding comments, etc. The only thing I wish I had not done is show the “Band of Brothers” segment. I opened up the day’s lesson with a video of the Andrew Sisters singing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”. They really enjoyed that. I used it as a way to introduce them to the music of the period.

By: Alex Bensky

Alex Bensky — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:00:22 +0000

I can well understand using a familiar movie like “The Incredibles” in a foreign language class. But how is it used? Are there vocabulary sheets, study questions, and perhaps essay questions in the language after the film, or are the students simply shown the movie?

There may be “different forms of literacy” but the original one–being able to read, understand, and respond to detailed and lengthy written text–isn’t obsolete or likely to become so.

By: Former PhysicsTeacher

Former PhysicsTeacher — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:43:23 +0000

I think you can at least partly blame that foolishness known as block scheduling for all the videos.

I found it very difficult to actually teach anyone anything for a full 90 minute block (sometimes more than that). During the first half most students would be reasonably attentive and they would be focused on the material. After that, their attention would begin to fade and the videos would come out.

Of course, I could have found kindergarten…er…engaging “activities” that might last a full 90 minutes. Never know when coloring might come in handy.

By: Deirdre Mundy

Deirdre Mundy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:10:27 +0000

This isn’t a new trend–I think it happened when VCRS got cheap and available. We watched BEN HUR for a week in 6th Grade. And I still remember the countless hours of history class given over to Dances with Wolves. Don’t remember the movie though—I slept.

In High School, my 9th grade English teacher showed a movie at the end of every book (for about 3-4 days of class time) and then took us on a field trip to see “Medicine Man” because “Sean Connery is hot.”

She also did pause and rewind. During Romeo and Juliet. About 10 times. All so we could “Appreciate” Romeo’s butt.

And these were HONORS classes. We watched FEWER movies than the other kids!

By: teach?

teach? — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:23:40 +0000

The only videos I show are the 2-3 minute educational shorts on BrainPop through the SMARTBoard. I can’t imagine having the luxury of extra time where I didn’t need to teach something.

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:02:09 +0000

I have a story very similiar to many that have been shared about TV being used in a poor manner in classes. My daugther enter kindergaten this year. She is reading already and meeting all the spring exit standards. I picked her up from school one day early in the year and asked what she did in school that day. She said, “Well, we had huddle time.” I asked, “What is huddle time?” She then replied, “We got to go into another room and watch Barney and It’s a Big, Big, World”. I was mortified. Those are shows that are not even age appropriate for 5-6 year olds. If they were going to spend an hour watching TV atleast pick educational programing that the kids will learn new information from or let her stay home with me and I can read with her.
We, myself included, have to remember we are in an era of technology and multiple litercies. We need to use these technologies to motivate students because they use TV, movies, text messaging, and social sites such as Facebook in their real lives. I do however, think that teachers need to use these technologies to their advantage and smartly. If used in the correct way students motivation, attitudes toward school, and abilities will increase. I do not mind my daughter watching TV or looking at things on the web, just as long as there is real learning coming from it.

By: Sarah Ebner

Sarah Ebner — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:48:47 +0000

I’m glad you flagged this up, as it’s something I’m concerned with too (it’s obviously UK based as well). My son started school in September and has already watched Ice Age – how educational is that? My daughter has watched some of Harry Potter at school and I’m not sure how ready she is for it, as she’s only seven…This is something that does upset parents. Think I will write on it too!

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:48:39 +0000

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By: Michelle at Scribbit

Michelle at Scribbit — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:52:45 +0000

I didn’t even go into some of the other stuff–teachers on the phone during class, texting or eating. She’s had quite the high school experience.

By: Phillip Gonring

Phillip Gonring — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:19:04 +0000

Yep, the days when we called one of my teaching colleagues, “Cecil,” short for Cecil B. Demille, are long gone.