Head of the Class

How to teach psychology well.

by Dana S. Dunn, Ph.D.

Educational Films?

By Dana S. Dunn, Ph.D. on August 30, 2009 in Head of the Class

Everyone likes movies. My 13-year old daughter spends so much time watching movies that I've been encouraging her to consider a career as a film critic (she's partial to musicals and romantic comedies but carries a torch for the vampires in Twilight, too). DVDs, Netflix, and the hundreds of channels on almost any TV make movies easily accessible all the time. As mind-candy, a vehicle for art, or a way to escape life's duller moments, that's fine. And many movies are educational or so some people believe-but how educational? Where's the proof? There's the rub. Read More

Showing Movies in Class

Submitted by Stephen Mason, Ph.D. on August 30, 2009 - 6:59pm.

I originally thought that combining a film with a lecture would add to the learning experience. However, there were a number of problems that got in the way. Hollywood releases (like historical novels) put one in the position of having to remember what not to remember. There were all those inaccurate but often gripping scenes.

And educational films were usually no better. Expensive and a chore to set up in the classroom, they always seemed geared to the lowest common denominator.

Finally, I did what came naturally for me. Being a funny guy, I used humor to make my points. Students loved it and I'm convinced that laughter can serve to make neural connections in humans in much the same way as a food reward in animals.

On a personal note, I recently visited the ABE area after an absence of many years. Quite a change.

Steve Mason
PT Blogger