Asserts that, although documentary film is nearly 100 years old, historical film did not have a place in the "American Historical Review" until recent years. Presents an interview with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns on the history and significance of documentary film. (CFR)

Louise Rosenblatt's reader response theory can be applied effectively to film study in the classroom. Although there are differences between film and literature, the processes that one uses to make sense of literature and film are similar, and Rosenblatt's theory provides not only a valuable addition to film theory, but teachers of film study will…

Shows how English teachers can use film to upgrade the literary consciousness of theatre goer and reader alike. (RL)

This paper provides a critical review of the behavioral research on film music, indicates that there is a visual bias in media attribute research which needs to be balanced, and provides media producers and instructional developers with a theoretical basis and practical guidelines for using music in audiovisual presentations. The question of film…

Methods and resources for using feature films in literature classes. (RL)

Compares the use of video technology in schools to sound filmstrips, 16mm films, and computers, and finds video to be more significant because both software and hardware aspects of the technology are accessible to the individual classroom teacher. (EM)

Discusses three major theoretical approaches in using feature-length films to teach gender roles: semiological analysis, Marxist analysis, and sociological analysis. For each approach, relevant literature is cited and specific examples of films are given to illustrate some applications of that approach to gender role analysis. (MBR)

Designed to provide insight into both the philosophical and emotional dimensions of community conflicts over students' exposure to ideas, this report summarizes 4 current court cases and 16 previous decisions in cases involving the banning of books, magazines, and films from public schools. Some details of two recent cases are provided to…

Offers a technique for use with films or filmstrips that transforms passive learning situations in content area classrooms into interactive ones. Contains a sample "reasoning guide." (FL)

The United Kingdom (UK) is a large producer of published materials and as such has a strong copyright law (the Copyright Act of 1956). The law protects eight categories of materials--literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works; sound recordings; film; broadcasts; and published editions--but the law varies from one type of material to another.…

Describes components of videodisc learning stations, and discusses important factors distinguishing videodisc technology from other forms of instruction that make it likely to succeed where self-paced instruction has fallen short. Elements of other educational formats are also examined and related to strengths and disadvantages of videodiscs. (MBR)

This paper discusses the concept of a family system in terms of an interactive system of interrelated, interdependent parts and suggests that VHS movies can act as perturbations, i.e., change promoting agents, for certain dysfunctional family systems. Several distinct characteristics of a family system are defined with particular emphasis on…

The use of Holocaust-related films and Holocaust survivors as classroom resources is analyzed. The perspective and function of four film genres are outlined as follows. Newsreels, made by the Nazis to chronicle their "progress," provide powerful raw footage of the concentration camp experience. Documentaries, generally made by Allied…

This paper reports on a project involving student recall of the dialogue in a movie and retention of the "anchor," which in this case refers to a videotape recording of "To Kill a Mockingbird." The project looked at how students retained knowledge over a few days and what kind of activities resulted from expertise with an…

Examines how oral history may help close the gap between professional and public history, thus broadening the framework of historical discourse. Considers public history projects--films, videos, museum, and historic site exhibits--and the work on conceptions of history by David Carr and Henry Glassie. Favors interpretive approaches that reflect…