Sunday, January 25, 2009

Get Up Offa That Thang

Pop, pop, popular culture. Yes indeedy. There is absolutely no way to deny that popular culture influences our children, education, society, this, that, bla bla bla…and vice versa to boot. Controversial? You bet. At the same time, there are educators running rampant that still think worksheets are beneficial and an educational resource, and showing the film version of Macbeth after reading the play is incorporating media/technology in the classroom. Bullshit. I mean no disrespect (more likely I probably mean very little disrespect), but we absolutely must acknowledge that pop culture is apart of our daily lives, and more often than not our children are consumed by it. Accept it, embrace it, and use it to benefit people.

What is it that we as educators want for our children, our students? To help others develop and maintain skills, critical thoughts, and what else? Be productive members of society? I don’t even know what that means, tax paying aside…How about to be able to relate to and get along with other people in the world? That sounds better to me. It is our job (this is my opinion) to help young people make it in this diverse and crazy world. Seeing as how popular culture truly is not something we can fight (why would we?), we have a responsibility to yank the fucking boredom out of our schools, get some butts in the seats and use what these kids need, want, have a passion for, and are all about (am I cool enough to say that?) Why would we not want to use something such as popular culture to empower our students? I guess that means I have to put on a habit, wear my hair big, and rock the evangelical choir Sister Act style. But let me ask you this…while the abbess originally objected…was the mission not accomplished? Kiss it tradition and standardization.

Instead of letting pop culture teach our children god knows what, how’s about we use pop culture to help teach our children? We can certainly use it to enhance education and those sought after critical thinking skills. Raise your hand if you’ve ever heard of the Simpsons. Yes? Good for you. Perfect example. If you have no idea what I’m talking about or need further explanation please see the red X in the top right corner of your screen (top left if you’re a Mac) and click it. Thank you.

When was the last time you took a really good look at what you’re watching, listening to, etc.? Perhaps we could allow the opportunity for critical analysis of something worthwhile..say Bob Dylan as a social commentary or societal movement versus the Apple Bottom Jeans, boots with the fur nonsense. How about incorporating podcasts, digital videos, voice streams, etc. instead of write me a paper or as a special “treat” make me a vhs home movie for your assignment? What if we took a look at some of those beloved Disney movies and critique their stereotypes? Wait! Disney certainly doesn’t stereotype..they’re wholesome movies and teach morals and whatnot. Talk about placating children. Personally, those opposed to using popular culture as an educational tool are simply ignorant to or scared of the technologies and possibilities. Which, by the way, is no excuse to not use them or deny their importance in education. Don’t integrate pop culture to simply integrate it, do it and use it with and for meaning, authentic and meaningful learning opportunities. Your students will thank you.

Let me tell you a secret. And now I’ve tried this so I can speak from personal experience. Even if you ask (especially if you ask) your students to turn off the TV and do something, anything else…like homework…they won’t. They’ll turn on every TV in the house (you have to know there’s an average of like 5 TVs per household now…seriously), turn them up, then they’ll plug themselves into a computer and facebook/myspace/youtube themselves to death all while text messaging. Televisorphonernet. Don’t fight this uphill battle. Do this: google Sisyphus. I’ll wait. See? This is you. Instead, meet your students half way and help them deconstruct, interpret, demystify, critically engage, connect to and with, and understand the importance (the how, when, where, why and whom) of popular culture. I know, it sounds like a lot. It is a lot. Verbs are always intense. Would you rather go be Sisyphus? Did you even google it? Popular culture can be a cultural and educational discourse that helps teach the media literacy skills that are paramount for EVERYONE. Promise. It's not easy, but how does that ole saying go? Nothing worth doing is ever easy...but suck it up and give it a whirl because it'll mean more in the end than a grammar worksheet. Something like that.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

CI 5150: A Continuation Of/And Whatnot

I stole this idea from my friend and colleague, Kate-The-Great-Kleinberg. Thanks lady.

The previous blogs are from a Fall 2008 class, CI 5472, Teaching Film, Television, and Media. I plan to use the same space for Spring 2009's CI 5150, Popular Culture and Education, because I find the two courses complementary. Thus, any posts beyond this one are specifically for that class.

Thanks for reading. Cheers.