The Film Experience: Teaching Modern Media to Students

David Thorburn inspires students to appreciate the emotional value of literature and film, fostering lifelong enjoyment.

### The Evolution of Teaching Film: Bridging Generations Through Media
* 🎥 In a modern educational landscape, students are **more adept at processing audio-visual information** due to their constant exposure to media, which presents challenges for traditional teaching methods.
* 📺 Professor David Thorburn emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context of media, noting that television has become a **complex narrative form** that older generations may **struggle to grasp**.
* 🎓 He believes that the goal of his course, The Film Experience, is not to create film critics but to **enrich students' lives** by helping them appreciate literature and film as **integral parts of their cultural experience**.
* 🖼 Thorburn admires great artists like Jean Renoir and Orson Welles, asserting that their creative achievements hold **more significance than commercial success**, which reflects a broader value system he hopes to **instill in his students**.
* 📜 Drawing inspiration from his own educational experiences, he employs **structured outlines** in his lectures to guide students through **complex ideas** while encouraging **spontaneous engagement** and **emotional connection** to the material.
* 📖 He recalls a pivotal moment when he realized the **disconnect between high culture and popular media**, challenging the notion that studying Shakespeare should be **separated from its original, vibrant context**.
* 🌍 Thorburn's approach to teaching film has evolved with technology, as he now encourages students to **think critically about the origins of film** and the **impact of modern distractions on their understanding of narrative**.
* 💡 Ultimately, he aims to **foster a lifelong appreciation for storytelling** in all its forms, believing that everyone should have the ability to **enjoy and interpret stories**, regardless of their professional path.

Film is for Everyone with Prof. David Thorburn (S1:E5)

A free and open online publication of educational material from thousands of MIT courses, covering the entire MIT curriculum, ranging from introductory to the most advanced graduate courses. On the OCW website, each course includes a syllabus, instructional material like notes and reading lists, and learning activities like assignments and solutions. Some courses also have videos, online textbooks, and faculty insights on teaching.

Knowledge is your reward. There's no signup or enrollment, and no start or end dates. OCW is self-paced learning at its best. 

Whether you’re a student, a teacher, or simply a curious person that wants to learn, MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) offers a wealth of insight, inspiration, videos, and a whole lot more! 

Get the full picture on the OCW website at https://ocw.mit.edu.

Accessibility: https://accessibility.mit.edu/ 

User comments policy:  https://ocw.mit.edu/comments/

(Channel banner photo by Nietnagel on Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/8WXxfK.)

MIT OpenCourseWare

Reframing Historical Artifacts for a Modern Audience

David Thorburn emphasizes the importance of engaging and passionate teaching, aiming to reframe classic works for today's students.

He highlights the disconnect between Shakespeare's literary power and the sensational nature of his performances.

Thorburn's goal is not to create experts, but to challenge conventions and help students internalize the narratives of their own time.

The Impact of Film and Television on Education

In the early 1970s, a professor found that only a small percentage of his California public school students had seen classic films or read famous novels.

He highlighted the significance of the television show "All in the Family" in transforming the portrayal of working-class heroes.

The professor's film experience class emphasizes the evolution of the medium and challenges students to imagine a world without modern technology.

The Impact of Television on Teaching and Learning

The author's realization that their students' narrative forms were visual, not literary, led to an interest in television as a narrative medium.

This understanding of television's dominant role in American life shaped the author's approach to teaching the film experience.

The author introduced a course on Literature and Popular Culture, exploring these ideas in depth and aiming to provide students with valuable skills for enjoying stories and literature throughout their lives.

Professor David Thorburn has taught The Film Experience at MIT for 39 years, emphasizing the original meaning of movies and their impact on human experience.

He challenges the notion that lectures are outdated, believing they can be engaging and effective for students.

Thorburn's approach to teaching has focused on bringing in diverse media, aiming to captivate and inspire his students.

The Role of Professors in Student Learning

Professors have a crucial role in guiding students and modeling critical thinking.

The speaker admires great artists and doctors, seeking to offer an alternative to the traditional view of success.

The speaker's teaching strategy is inspired by a former professor who used outlines to organize lectures and presented material in a thoughtful, planned manner.

The Impact of Audio-Visual Stimuli on Students

Students today are more capable of processing audio-visual information due to growing up in a 24/7 stimulating environment.

This shift has led to certain television programs becoming too complex for older generations, while younger individuals easily understand them.

Professor Thorburn's class emphasizes the difference between commercial success and the lasting impact of great art and teaching, and additional resources are available on the MIT OCW website.