 |
| Photo credit: mojzagrebinfo on pixabay.com |
As I was watching the seventy-ninth (sadly not joking) episode of The Sopranos, I realized I had spent every single hour of free time since May 20th following a fictional mob family's every move. While the show is admittedly amazing and I regret nothing, binge-watching video on demand services is definitely an addiction. A quick Google news search reveals I am not alone in my addiction. We all do it, the question is: why? While a sociology expert I am not, I am fairly certain the main reason we spend hours upon hours watching our favorite shows is...wait for it...we like them. I know - groundbreaking discovery, right?
This leads me to my main point: What can we as educators learn from video demand services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Now, etc.? How can we get our students as addicted to learning as they (and we) are to clicking on the next episode? I've come up with a few ideas, but I'm sure I am merely scratching the surface. Note: I used Netflix as the title only because it is the most popular VOD service. These apply to all similar services, insert your favorite video on demand site here...
Know your Demographic
Perhaps the most disturbingly useful aspect of Netflix and similar services is their ability to provide you with a seemingly infinite number of sometimes creepily specific genres. Some are obvious: drama, comedy, action, etc. However, the genres I'm talking about are those seeming to be specific to you - "recommended for Brian". My current favorite suggestion: Critically-acclaimed Cerebral Independent Dramas. How do they do this? They base it off what you have already watched.
It seems simple, right? Yet, how many times do we fail to invest this same effort with our students? It doesn't take much to capitalize upon students' interests. I have found the best way to learn my classroom demographics is not by reading their education stats and scores or having them fill out a "getting to know you" worksheet. No, the best way to find out about your students is to simply talk to them. Take time and find out about each individual kid - I promise it doesn't take long.
Once you know your students' interests you gain capital in many ways, most importantly you have shown interest in them and built relationships. In addition, though, you now can weave those interests into your lesson plans and suggest topics of learning that will grab their attention and make them interested in your class.
Self Direction
a.k.a. "Yes, I'm still watching House of Cards, stop judging me Netflix!"
I have not purchased a DVD in months. Maybe even years. There is no need to buy DVDs when I can rent or buy them online and watch my favorite show whenever and wherever I want to. I have choices - novel idea, isn't it?
Obviously if adults enjoy choices, students must as well. Why don't we give them what they want? While it can be frightening to give up some control in your classroom, releasing ownership of learning to your students will cultivate critical thinking skills, encourage inquisitive students, and increase engagement. You can start small with giving your class more than one way to complete an assignment. For example, instead of just writing a report let them choose between options: make a movie, design a "billboard" advertisement, make a brochure, create a review, write a newspaper article. There are other options, be creative, you can't go wrong with any real-world inspired activity.
Think you are ready to move up a level? Try using Genius Hour - give your students a portion of your class time to research their passions. My goal for the year is to create a classroom makerspace, which I'm going to call our "Innovation Station" because, you know, rhyming. A makerspace allows students to create for themselves and, even better, the world around them; and it is all based on what they want to do. Allowing for student self direction isn't just a good idea; it is, in my opinion, one thing we must do to prepare students for the future.
Make Yourself Rewindable
How many times have you missed a line of dialogue or wanted to scan that last Game of Thrones scene for clues to Jon Snow's parentage? We do it all the time, don't we? The beauty of technological advances in television is we can pause or rewind our favorite shows for any reason. I often find myself wishing I could do the same with real life, mainly because I have a tendency to stop listening to conversations after a while. While I work that social issue out in therapy, take some time to consider how you could make this work in a classroom: flip yourself!
Last year, I flipped my math classroom. You flip your classroom by recording videos of yourself teaching. Then you send those videos out to your students. They watch them at home or in your room before or after school. Your lessons occur before your class starts, freeing up time to implement self-directed projects, problem-based learning, or many other engaging learning experiences. Instructional freedom was the main reason I flipped my class, but another unexpected advantage presented itself as the year went on: my students discovered they could re-watch the videos if they didn't understand a concept the first time. Many parents told me they loved the video lessons because their children could rewind something I said or did and watch it over and over until they understood.
Extend the Experience
After you finish your new favorite series, what does Netflix do? That's right, they suck you into another new favorite series - one so amazing you can't believe you've never heard of it. Learning shouldn't be held strictly from 8:30am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday. Extend students' learning beyond the end of the day. Take learning outside your classroom walls. Maybe even make it global! In the past, we have used Kidblog, Skype, Twitter, and Facebook to connect our learning with parents, the community, and even students around the world. When you take time to learn about your students and create learning experiences suited to their needs and interests, an amazing thing happens. They want to share what they know - with their friends, their families, even their world!
My colleague, Jackie Pickett, and I started an after school film club for our 3rd and 4th graders this year. 60 elementary students created 15 different films and had a showcase for their friends and families at the end of the year. One day this summer I ran into a parent in the grocery store. He told me his son has been making films all summer and even asked for a tripod so he could make better movies. Helping students find something about which they can be passionate and explore beyond the school day (or year!) is what it's all about. When you extend the experience, the learning never truly ends.
I know there are probably many more things we can learn from Netflix and similar services. If you think of more to share, please comment below and keep our learning going!
Now then, I hear Archer is a hilarious, binge-worthy show...
