Turn it Off or Leave it On? The Impact of Television on Education

Television presents both fact and fiction. It can entertain and educate, even-handedly present different points of view, then elicit an emotional response to an issue, inform or confuse, stimulate or sedate. What effect has television had on students' learning? Is it a benefit or a hindrance in education?

"Television has definitely made a difference in students," comments Karen Douziech, who teaches English and theatre appreciation at McNally High School in Edmonton. Television has led students to expect constant stimulation, she observes. Teachers must be constantly moving and entertaining the class or the students will tune out. This can be a double-edged sword, she says. The search for stimulating, entertaining ways to teach can make a better lesson - and teacher, she smiles - but at the same time, the lesson can go so quickly that students have no time to internalize what they have heard.

"As strongly visual learners, my autistic students love television," notes Pat Shedden, who teaches at Queensville Elementary School in Queensville, Ontario. She uses videos to demonstrate and teach the do's of social skills (and Mr. Bean videos to teach the don'ts!). The children also love Walt Disney movies, she says, because they are bright and colourful, yet non-threatening.

"Television offers a way to introduce really foreign concepts to my students," says Pascale Baillargeon, who teaches high school courses at Qaqqalik School in Kimmirut, Nunavut. She uses videos and news programs to help her students make connections between what they are learning from a social studies or history textbook and their northern world. At the same time, television has brought some unusual changes to her community. "It's a bit disconcerting to see a young person head out onto the land to go hunting sporting a head of bright blue hair."

"Television isn't inherently evil; it's simply television," insists Jack Trovato, drama teacher at Alpha Secondary School in Burnaby, British Columbia. "It has both pros and cons." Still, he is concerned that television, the Internet and video games have contributed to an atrophy of visualization, imagination and creativity in children. He sees an impact on their health as well. More children have asthma, are overweight or do so little physical activity that they are awkward with their bodies. "They're just not as flexible as children used to be."

"Parents are becoming aware of the negative impact of television on their children and are taking steps to limit or eliminate television from the children's lives," observes Robert Heidbreder, who teaches Grade 1 with a colourful cast of puppets at General Gordon Elementary School in Vancouver. The five or six children in his class who do not watch television at home are noticeably more creative and imaginative than those who do, he concludes.

For better or worse, television is here to stay, these teachers concede. Rather than denying or ignoring its impact on education, effective teaching strategies use and exploit what television has to offer - introduction of foreign or unfamiliar concepts, practical hands-on experience, examples of dramatic presentations - while accommodating or compensating for its disadvantages.