Engaging students and their publics through making sociological films

Abstract

While sociological learning and teaching is still dominated by the word, students are increasingly immersed in visual culture. Audio-visuals can be extremely powerful in their ability to communicate complex messages about the world and are growing in importance as a means of informing public debate. Recent developments in technology equip anyone with access to a computer or smartphone with the means to make a film. Getting students to make a short film seemed a way to cater to diverse skill sets and interests and facilitate authentic learning while simultaneously engaging students in a form of public sociology. This article examines Sociomentary, a recently developed undergraduate unit which, underpinned by critical media pedagogy, involved students in a new form of sociological knowledge production. It contributes to the collective effort of academics teaching sociology to find ways to engage students more deeply and assist them in engaging the world.

The Analysis of Teachers' Digital Habitus during Distance Learning Implementation in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

“…This is not a generalization suggesting that all teachers can successfully do this, but rather an affirmation that teachers are dynamic actors consistently making efforts to engage in the digitalization of education. Various digital-based learning strategies applied by teachers include project-based learning involving relationships within the classroom, curriculum, and digital literacy development (Kalman & Guerrero, 2013); the use of digital applications based on student feedback on learning (Bijlsma et al, 2019); video games as a social science learning medium (Maguth et al, 2015); sociology learning through filmmaking (Waller, 2017); learning through social media (Blogs, Wikipedia, and YouTube) (Szeto et al, 2016); multimedia presentations and learning using websites (Koeber, 2005); and the integration of mobile technology in classroom teaching practices (Walker et al, 2019). Another significant factor driving changes in educational practices is the widespread use of computers, multimedia, internet-based information learning, internet access in schools, the use of online system applications for learning, and the reinforcement of internet usage capacities (Büyükbaykal, 2015).…”

Engaging Students Using an Arts-Based Pedagogy: Teaching and Learning Sociological Theory through Film, Art, and Music

“…These barriers can ultimately lead to a great deal of anxiety for students, in both their understanding of and writing about theory, which can in turn affect their learning experiences (Lowney 1998; Pelton 2013; Windsor and Carroll 2015). There have been several pedagogical strategies suggested to help address these challenges, including the use of film (Andrist et al 2014; Pelton 2013; Waller 2017), YouTube videos (Belet 2018), art (Barthel 1987; Miller 2000), popular culture (Wilson 2020), music (Culton and Muñoz 2016), poetry (Romero 2020), literary fiction (Weber 2010), collaborative learning approaches (McDuff 2012; Pederson 2010), and experiential activities (Windsor and Carroll 2015).…”