American

Pop Culture How we portray education in pop WarmUp 1.) How many movies/tv shows, (Korean and American), can you think of that is set in school? 2.) Describe the teachers and the students in the movie/tv show. 3.) How are the movies/tv shows, different and similar to your own experience? Do you think the stereotypes of education is different in America? Film portrayal of Education [A grad students opinion] In the movie School of Rock, Jacks[the main character] roommate, a substitute teacher, is portrayed as willing to put to death his love of music, rock- n-roll, to be a teacher. Implying that you are either a musician or a teacher, not both. The film also shows the difference between a teacher and a musician, in how they dress. Jack Black is dressed in sloppy, unkempt clothing; often looking disheveled. He is also portrayed as being cool. Jacks roommate is neat, clean cut, scrawny and looks as if he hasnt seen the sun in the last decade. He is clearly portrayed as the nerd. The film illustrates the public view of how teachers are to look and act. To make sure that you understand the differences clearly, the roommates girlfriend is there to vocalize the values. She is often behind the roommate pointing out how responsible the teacher is and what a loser Jack is. Not only does the film place a value judgment on how teachers should look and act, but it illustrates what teaching and learning should sound and look like. The film implies that education should be a top down model; the teacher has all the knowledge and it is the job of the teacher to fill up the empty minds of his/her students. Jacks students are lacking the knowledge of rock-n-roll and it is his job to enlighten them. Not only is the classroom viewed as a top down model it is also implied that the education system should be. Administration and parents expect a certain teaching method/style and that is what they want to see, despite its effectiveness. Based on the schedule clearly set by the original classroom teacher, curriculum should be segregated; math at 9:00, reading 9:30, science at 10:00 etc. Also, children are to be independent, competitive learners. Children are seated in desks set in neat rows; discouraging cooperative learning. My favorite scene in the movie is when Jack asks about the star chart on the wall. A child in the classroom explains how children receive stars for positive behavior and it is clearly marked on the wall for all to see. Jack has a somewhat violent reaction as he tears up the chart and informs the students that as long as he is in charge there will be none of that. The most worrying value in the movie for me is the purpose of education itself. This movie, as well as others, often portrays the purpose of education as a manner in which to control students and society; a way to maintain the status quo. Students were expected to model their parents actions and words. Independent thinking was not encouraged or cultivated until the arrival of Jack Black. During the parent meeting, parents questioned Jack as to why there sweet children were now asking so many questions; the parents in the movie appeared to view this new level of questioning as being disrespectful and challenging authority. Is this the purpose of education that we want to portray? Discussion

*http://blog.lib.umn.edu/kruiz002/kyle/2008/06/films_portrayal_of_education.html

American Pop Culture How we portray education in pop

1.) From the above reading, what do you think are the American stereotypes of a. Teachers b. Students c. Education 2.) Does the description of the Top down method sound similar to education in Korea? Why/why not? 3.) What does the author think would be a better method? a. Do you agree? Why/why not? 4.) Rock and roll musicians are often considered cool. What other groups would you consider cool? a. What are other stereotypes of rock and roll musicians?

5.) In the reading above, teachers are portrayed as boring nerds. In your experience, are teachers usually boring nerds? a. If you think that teachers are boring nerds, is it a good thing? b. If you dont think teachers are boring nerds, how would describe them? 6.) From the reading and your opinion, what qualities should a teacher have? 7.) Do you think that Americans have a positive or a negative view of the education system? How about Koreans view of the American education system? 8.) How cool are your professors here at CUK?

*http://blog.lib.umn.edu/kruiz002/kyle/2008/06/films_portrayal_of_education.html