Its a visual- thang... Learning with film

From: It's a visual thing: audio-visual technology in education. (July 2009). Author unknown?? www.futurelab.org.uk/resources/publications-reports-articles/vision-magazine/VISION-Article1283 The British Film Institute (BFI), 'is busy trying to convince schools that there are a range of audio-visual tools that can be used to compliment books to help children to learn about narrative. Reid believes that, given the primacy of the audio-visual in everyday life, film should be an important part of the literacy curriculum...' Someone in the class said to me last week that her mentor teacher refused to allow students in year 10 use green because all year 10 students want to do is use green (now stick with me here there is a point) I said but why wouldn't you use their need for green, which is a little odd but anyway, why wouldn't you harness that interest to teach all the subtleties and complexities that the colour green can offer, I would think (I know I'm only a preservice teacher BUT) I would think that using the students interest would aide in a lesson, as opposed to choosing something they are not interested in... Ok back to BFI ( ha I'm using an acronym!) If students are familiar with audio-visual (which of course they are!! ignoring the few exceptions of community location) why not harness that knowledge to help teach narrative. GO BFI. This also leads into another question-2.0- creating audio-visual. Making teaches so much more that watching!! To make, one must understand and evaluate- these words just keep on cropping up- the article starts by discussing watching of science experiments (authenticity always comes from science doesn't it!!) and goes on to discuss the sharing of info with harvard physicists (even more authenticity, I am being cheeky here while agreeing with the idea-keep this in mind) goes on to refer to podcasts, own time own pace etc etc learning anywhere etc etc. Concerns are some schools using tech well others are not. Is this creating a chasm?? It is encouraging teachers to be active and in this way change policy from the ground up. Good points whoever you are.