Academically, the moving image has long been regarded as the poor relation of the printed word. Celluloid might be more fun than paper, but its educational worth is often undervalued. But as the prestige of film study has risen, so has the quality of teaching resources. Teachers and educators are recognising the potential of film as a cross-curricular resource.
CD-Roms
An Introduction to Film Language is a unique resource for learning about film language. Using the sinister short animation The Sandman (Paul Berry, 1991), this interactive CD-Rom offers a straightforward introduction to the language of camera, sound and editing and enables the reader to work at their own pace. It is particularly helpful for teachers who want to understand film language in order to teach it and a link to the British Film Institute’s website is provided for user support.
An Introduction to Film Language Bfi Education Post-16 System requirements: Windows 95 or higherPrice: pound;27.99 Tel: 0870 241 3764 www.bfi.org.uk
Picturing Literacy is a challenging resource with a creative approach to literacy. Guided by clear instructions, students can create a movie player on their PC, edit moving image and create trailer reels using QuickTime - a popular video format. There’s also a fantastic scheme of work on poetry that uses stills from the film War Games.
Picturing Literacy Film Education Key stages 3 and 4 System requirements: Windows 98, QuickTime Price: Free Tel: 0207 851 9450 www.filmeducation.org
Packs
The Media Book is an excellent resource for teaching media and moving image within the English curriculum. Activities are geared towards the National Literacy Strategy and the texts are fresh and challenging - ranging from the Teletubbies to Big Brother. A video is included and a CD-Rom is also available.
The Media Book English and Media Centre Key Stage 3 Price: pound;9.95 Tel: 0207 359 8080 www.englishandmedia.co.uk
The Story Shorts teaching pack contains a video compilation and teaching guide to support the development of literacy at key stage 2. There are five films, between three and 14 minutes long, which can be easily shown in the literacy hour. The teaching guide contains information on the films, teachers’ notes on film and narrative and photocopiable worksheets.
Story Shorts from the British Film Institute Price: pound;24.99 Tel: 0870 241 3764 www.bfi.org.uk
Books
The Moving Images In The Classroom guide offers advice to secondary teachers, particularly those feeling nervous about teaching film. It outlines eight basic techniques and practical activities for the close study of film and television in the classroom across nine curriculum subjects. It suggests ways of looking at Shakespeare on film, and studying literary adaptations, and includes advice on adapting teaching and learning to integrate moving image work into the curriculum. It is also available as a PDF.
Moving Images In The Classroom from the British Film Institute Price: Free Tel: 0870 241 3764 www.bfi.org.uk
Websites
Primary resources like Creepy Crawlies On Film and Films Around The World demonstrate the potential of film in a range of curriculum areas and children will love the interactive quizzes, activities and games. What’s more, they’re downloadable and completely free. Secondary resources include downloadable guides to literary texts and a range of fantastic history resources.
www.filmeducation.org
Teachit’s detailed schemes of work and essay plans and teaching ideas on contemporary films such as Shrek, The Truman Show and Chicken Run would make an excellent starting point for GCSE assignments.
www.teachit.co.uk
Media Education offers everything you need to know about media education. There’s a firm focus on practical production, with features on planning and shooting films. If you’re shaky on the practical side, there are useful articles that demystify potentially tricky film technologies.
www.mediaed.org.uk
