Advantages

Generally, media is a fantastic way to engage learners. It can be used in any discipline to support and enhance learning. Often visual media is easier to absorb for students then text, and it allows them to get complex concepts more readily. According to the Science Education Resource Centre at Carleton College (SERC), some of the advantages to using media include;

• Encourages critical thinking and making larger world connections
• Assessing and questions one own ideas and values
• Look at what is culturally relevant
• Experience the world outside the classroom
• See and experience new concepts

There is a lot of potential advantages to the use of media in the class. Often in content heavy courses having short media clips are a great way to bring the point home, and YouTube is a wealth of short helpful clips to support everything and anything you may want to use.

Disadvantages

While it is difficult to find fault with media, there are some ‘cautions’ to be wary of when implementing or thinking of implementing in your classroom. One of the biggest no-no’s and one that we are all guilty of at one time or another is using media as a time waster.

I know there have been times close to the end of the year or just before the Christmas holidays when I’ll throw on a movie simply so I can work and the kids have a distraction. This is not a useful, nor productive use of media, so be aware of it. Try to plan it so if you know you need the time, or want to use a media, have some thoughtful discussion questions with it, as well as intent and purpose.

A few other cautions as set out but SERC are;

• Be aware of any copyright issues
• Will require extra time (prescreening, questions etc)
• Potential distracting scenes to students
• Time out of class

Speaking to a few of these in greater detail, be aware of the age of your class, and maturity level. I highly recommend re-watching the movie, as often we forget moments that may detract from the original intent. I know it is time consuming, especially if you have to make up your own questions. I find that if you just warn the students beforehand (swearing, romantic moment etc) they are usually receptive and aware.

Of course, I would never show a horror movie to my grade 6’s (no matter how much they want to). I do also recommend if you are unsure about a movie ask a fellow teacher, and to not allow your students to talk you into it. This did happen to a colleague of mine who was talked into showing John Wick, I think she was scarred for life.

Some personal warning from my own experiences; make sure to watch the entirety of the clip before showing, if you find already made questions on the internet for a movie/clip double check they are actually answered in the media. Don’t overuse, it is possible, be aware there is a fine balance that each teacher needs to find for themselves.

Having looked through the advantages and the cautions, I’m reflecting on my own practice. I want to explore my own media habits in class in more detail; what am I doing right? What can improve? Where can I go from here?

“Why Use Media to Enhance Teaching and Learning.” Using Media to Enhance Teaching and Learning, 7 May 2018, https://serc.carleton.edu/econ/media/why.html