I vividly recall the old animated film broadcasted by DD Channel long ago, the tale of a bird tracker and sparrows. The verses were: "Hammmm… hind desh…..hmmmmmhmm, hum sabhi ek hai ta ra ra ra ra." I enjoyed the animation of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. The picturization of such animations held my interest in the story and enhanced my understanding through visuals. Even now, I can recite most lines of the rhymed story of the tracker and sparrows.
Films enable students to grasp concepts more easily, increasing their engagement and awareness of different perspectives.
Integrating film into the educational curriculum aids children's learning and benefits them socially and morally. It has a positive impact on their behaviour, motivation, and relationships among students and staff, and it can enhance the teaching methods of educators.
Integrating film into the curriculum promotes active learning through discussion, presentation, critical thinking, and teamwork. It can be applied across the entire curriculum. Many teachers find that visualizing the curriculum helps raise the profile of their subject within schools and develops various skills in children. The most valuable film education activities enhance critical, cultural, and creative abilities.
I remember when CBSE introduced "The Invisible Man" in the syllabus for 12th-grade students in 2018 to enhance their reading skills. My students enjoyed the movie "The Invisible Man" and grasped the entire story of the novel very easily.
While some researchers suggest that the first educational films were screened in St. Petersburg in 1897, other studies confirm that the first educational films were inspired by the newsreel in 1913. The rising number of educational films indicates that their production began in the early 1900s. Film education takes young students beyond Hollywood into world cinema, British independent cinema, or documentaries.
The National Media Museum, Education Bradford, and the BFI collaborated in 2010 to deliver a CPD program with lead experts and primary teachers to integrate film into the primary classroom, aiming to improve boys' achievement in writing. One teacher remarked, "Kids were actively engaged in their learning due to its relevance to their lives (with film and media being prominent features in their home life)." Another summarized the success, "There was a positive response from the students, and all said they enjoyed proficiency." Many film education activities significantly impact students' behaviour and satisfaction.
The flexibility of film allows it to be incorporated into various subjects, enhancing the learning experience. In literature classes, film adaptations of classic books can help students visualize characters and settings, improving their understanding of the text. In science lessons, educational films can demonstrate complex theories and experiments, making the subject more accessible and engaging for the students.
Moreover, teachers can use films to teach social studies, using them as a medium to explore and investigate cultural issues and verifiable historical events. Films depicting different periods or cultures can spark discussions about diversity, social justice and civil rights. In language classes, foreign films can be used to enhance language proficiency, providing students with opportunities to hear the language spoken naturally in the film settings.
Additionally, films can be incorporated into art and workmanship classes, showing students different forms of artistic expression and creative techniques. By examining cinematography, colour schemes, and scene composition, students can acquire a more profound appreciation for the art of filmmaking. Thus, integrating films into various subjects can transform the classroom into a dynamic and interactive learning space.
With tablets replacing some textbooks and reading materials, and courses being instructed through the online medium, it's obvious that the educational landscape is developing rapidly. The continuous development of dynamic learning systems has been a major factor in this change. Many schools have adapted to these technological advancements, recognizing them as essential steps to cater to the learning experience of younger generations. The positive effects are evident as recent research shows that middle and high school students learn more through accurate experiences in augmented and virtual reality.
In today's digital age, media literacy has become a fundamental skill. Using films as educational apparatuses exposes students to various cinematic techniques, narrative structures, and visual storytelling strategies. This develops media literacy skills, enabling students to critically assess media messages, understand the enticing techniques used in films, and explore the vast landscape of visual media in an educated and discerning manner.
The utilization of films as educational tools is a progressive idea that can transform the learning experience. Films draw in students on a visual and emotional level, promote critical thinking and analysis, enhance cultural understanding of society, and spark meaningful discussions. Initiatives like School Film recognize the power of film in education and the influence it has to create impactful learning experiences. By embracing the power of film as an instructive tool, we can unlock students' true potential, foster empathy and critical thinking, and create a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
Film is a versatile tool that as a medium of education has immense potential. It can make learning more engaging and enjoyable, foster critical thinking, and promote cultural understanding of different societies. By incorporating film into their teaching strategies, educators can bring lessons to life on the big screen, creating a memorable and meaningful growth opportunity for their students. Films can help achieve educational goals.
As I conclude, I would like to suggest a few good educational movies to my readers:
The Hunt
Whiplash
A Beautiful Mind
127 Hours
Like Father, Like Son
Nobody Knows
Spirited Away
Akeelah and the Bee
Inside Out
Bad Education
Spelling Bee
The Breakfast Club
Music of the Heart
The Queen’s Gambit
Goodbye, Mr. Chips
Dear Sir,
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