Using Media to Teach Family Values
Popular music and movies are the media of the culture: They both reflect and extend themes across the culture and within subcultures. Like it or not, the entertainment media functions as a major influence on development and family life (both in its models and in it's power to govern family time together). Family life educators can use the stories to illustrate concepts, promote discussion, and encourage critical thinking. Bringing rental or purchased tapes to class insures equal access and a shared experience. All media should be viewed before showing, with careful reflection on its educational value and potential effects on student viewers. Some simple rules for selecting materials include:
- Developmental appropriateness: Choose themes and story lines which
match the cognitive and social development level of children viewing; Movies
and songs with excessive sex and violence rarely add to the teaching value
and could mean legal problems with school administration or rightfully-disgruntled
parents.
- Representativeness: Themes and story lines which stereotype or reflect bias against persons or groups can be useful discussion-starters. If the bias (and or how individuals overcome it) is not the focus of discussion, such stereotypes may communicate inaccurate views of human development and family relations.
Guidelines for using what you select include:
- Show a segment: A whole movie can be too time consuming and the "entertainment"
element tends to overwhelm the message. A 5-20 minute movie segment can
provide the focus and impetus for in-depth learning. It is easier to play
the whole of a 2-4 minute tune, but more songs rarely add to learning unless
the whole session focuses on messages in popular music.
- Learning guide: Prepare a set of concerns or questions before viewing
a film; provide a brief "lead in" on the theme or story action
immediately beforehand. Use outlines with films and put song lyrics on
overhead transparency to help students follow the "what" so they
can discuss the "how" and "why".
- Copyright laws under "fair use" allow for educational uses. This is generally interpreted to mean not charging admission for films and not copying or transcribing large segments of films. TV shows and films may be recorded and used for 45 days before erasure. Popular songs should be original recordings, but I am not clear on whether transcribing lyrics or repeated use is technically illegal.
For more information and ideas on songs and movies to use in teaching, check out Sights and Sounds at Family Information Services, 12565 Jefferson St., NE, Suite 102, Minneapolis, MN 55434-2102 (1-800-852-8112)
