Hobbs
stated “Art has the power to shape our sense of reality” (135). This one simple sentence summarizes thousands
of ideas about the importance of art and theatre. Art provides a lens through which we can
better analyze the world in new and creative ways. It allows for students and teachers to
explore difficult ideas and innovative ways of thinking. But in teaching the arts it is important to
remember that “It’s not about getting kids to think like the teacher”
(119). Often times I think about lesson
planning in a way that is geared towards teaching students what I think and how
I think about situations and subjects. Students need to learn to think for themselves and to think critically about information they are presented with each and every day of their lives.
In
teaching students media through theatre and vice versa it is important to
remember that the best way to access difficult material is through critical
autonomy. According to Hobbs, in reference
to Lens Masterman, Critical Autonomy is “develop[ing] pupils enough self-confidence
and critical maturity to be able to apply critical judgments to media texts
which they will encounter in the future” (119).
Media is a controversial issue in today’ society. Media provides efficient means and innovative
ways to access new material and relate to students interests, but it also
provides students with easy access to controversial issues. Pornography, violence and inappropriate
material is readily accessible on the same valuable resources of Facebook, YouTube and Google, etc. Hobbs counsels
for the instructor to never share a video that has not been previously viewed
before. Students’ sensitivity to material
will depend entirely on their upbringing and values and as the teacher it is
your responsibility to screen material before showing it in class. YouTube can provide valuable examples of
scenes for a show you maybe performing or various forms of theatre. But it must be censored first to ensure that the video clip upholds and maintains the values you have set for your classroom.
Although
I want a high moral environment for my classroom that doesn't mean that I want
to shun media. Media is a great source
for students to be able to learn and grow and experiment in new forms of
learning. I love the examples that Hobbs
provides of discussing difficult topics through media, such as in the 6th
grade classroom and the students’ discussion of popular celebrities. Hobbs suggests “For genuine reflection to
occur, every idea and argument must be placed under the microscope for critical
scrutiny” (119). I plan to have students’
complete assignments using media. It would even be interesting to take the
ideas from the 6th grade classroom and have students devise a piece
based on how they feel that media is influencing them. They would be required to use various forms
to media to express their opinions and relate that to current examples from pop
culture. As students discuss it is best
for them to use critical scrutiny in order to really analyze the issues they
face every day and then present those issues to others students their age. They could be divided into groups and each
pick a topic that they feel is of great influence in their lives right now,
whether that is advertising, movies, television shows, the internet, etc. The Students’ would be required to pick a
subject that is specific and expound upon their opinion of how that form of
media is present in their lives and then perform a devised piece base on their
discussions.
With this
idea in mind I feel that it is important to bring in aspects of the Seeing
& Writing book when discussing project ideas with students. Specifically I feel it is important that they
have an understanding of how photographs and media in general can be manipulated
to portray a specific meaning and then have the students relate how that
meaning translates into their lives.
Media is every present and is a form of manipulation. It is a powerful force that can be used to
teach valuable lessons but it can also destroy.
It is important we teach our students to think for themselves and
determine how they will let media influence them.
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