Indeed, showing films within classrooms is a great way to enhance student engagement. Nevertheless, achieving full pupil engagement can never be the sole reason to play a movie during a classroom session. Teachers need to understand that proper planning for watching films is an ingredient that makes it a worthwhile learning experience. Below are some benefits and drawbacks of utilizing movies as a tool for learning.
The Benefits of Using Motion Pictures as an Educational Tool
There are a variety of benefits that students can derive through watching educational movies. Some of them are as highlighted below:
A Chance for More Entertainment in Learning
Movies are highly effective in extending education beyond classroom lectures and textbooks. Movies can, at times, assist students in getting the feel of a real-world event. What’s more, students can learn about some general knowledge that is not available in the curriculum.
Promotes Interest in Learning
Films are useful as an interest-building or pre-learning exercise. Including a film within a lesson assists in bolstering the tutee’s interest and, at the same time, offering a break from the routine tasks.
Offer Opportunity for Trying Different Teaching Styles
Using motion pictures in class is a useful means for catering to different learning approaches. Disseminating information in varied ways could be the key to assisting students in understanding a given subject.
Fosters Students’ Comprehension of Concepts
Movies usually provide a lesson or two. At times, a film might enable a tutor to offer more insight into a topic. It will further enhance a student’s comprehension of the subject. Consequently, the tutee becomes a good essay writer in a particular subject.
Breaks Classroom Monotony
On days when tutees feel fatigued and cannot focus adequately, a film can come in handy. In the everyday learning process, there are times when pupils could be excited about an upcoming sports event or even on the forthcoming holiday instead of the topic at hand. It could prove to be an ideal moment to watch a film complementary to the day’s topic.
The Demerits of Incorporating Movies in Education
Not everything about films is suitable for students. Even before a tutor decides to show a certain film, it must comply with the institution’s policy. Other disadvantages of using film in education are as follows:
Lengthy Films Consume Much Time
At times films might be extremely long. Some films are part of a series that could even take a whole week to complete. Even a relatively short film might take a day or two for the pupils to watch and analyze. What’s more, if different groups of pupils are required to watch the same movie, they would have to begin and end at separate times.
Less Informative Compared to Lectures
The educative component of the movie could comprise a very small percentage of the entire film. Only a few scenes could be apposite for students. In such a case, it is only appropriate to view short clips that are beneficial to the learning process.
Some Films Can Deliver Inaccurate Information
At times, a film might not contain accurate historical content. Film re-enactments commonly tinker with historical facts to create a more captivating story. For this reason, it is crucial first to highlight any historical discrepancies. Otherwise, the students will take them as pure truth. If conducted appropriately, clarifying any issues with a film can offer good learning moments for the learners.
Need Explanations Which Can Result in Redundancy
Films are not always self-explanatory. Playing a movie without placing it in its appropriate context could prove to be futile. The tutor must, therefore, give constant feedback and explanations throughout the movie. It helps the students derive lessons from the film. Failure to do so would be akin to watching television merely for entertainment.
Need Careful Selection
Some people argue that films are not a good method of disseminating information. For this reason, if a movie should form part of the curriculum, it should be carefully chosen. What’s more, the school should create proper lessons that are in tandem with the educational value of the film.
Parents Might Not Like Some Content Within Particular Films
Schools should make efforts to come out clear and list all movies that they intend to show during a semester. In case of any concerns about a film, a school should seek parents’ permission through the students. After that, parents need to be included to discuss any concerns they harbor before playing the films. In case a particular student has been barred from watching the film, there should be alternative activities they can partake.
Closing Remarks
Movies are undoubtedly an effective education method for both tutors and students. However, to reap maximum benefits from classroom movies, the tutor should painstakingly select content and formulate effective lesson plans.