Engaging Instruction vs. Informative Entertainment

Written on 1:30 PM by Christian Olson

Recently I've been thinking about entertainment and instruction. In my classes and outside research much has been made about whether or not instruction can be entertaining or not. This has been nagging at me recently and, since I have my own platform for sharing my ideas now, I thought I'd post my thoughts.

There seems to thought among educators that entertainment is nice, but has little to no instructional value. Entertainment industry professionals cite the need for "real world" attitudes about instruction. If it is not profitable or entertaining, then it is virtually useless. There seems to be a dichotomy of opinions.

In my research, and by research I mean watching "educational shows" with my children, there seems to be a wide variety of what is considered "educational." Many commercial programs are more entertaining than education, but they do have useful or interesting information. I have also seen Higher Ed products that are clear, objective-based instruction, but have no entertainment value.

Is there a correct answer? Is there a middle ground? Personally, I don't think I can answer either question with a Yes or a No. I feel that there is merit in both. When commercial entertainment provides useful information, I consider that a win. Since recent reports state that the average child watches 7 hours of TV a day, isn't a least a little redeeming value better than none. (For example, Little Einstein's has increase my children's awareness of classical art and music.)

Additionally, these programs allow educators to show how their theoretical classroom would work. In Sid the Science Kid (PBS), a discovery classroom is setup and that is how the students learn. Whether or not that classroom could ever exist in real life is another question for another day, but at least I better understand the concept of the theory.

Finally, I also see benefit in instruction that may not me entertaining. While students may not what or use this instruction everyday or week, the challenge, engagement, and potential problem-solving opportunities will be motivate the students interest. Also, having active participation in learning is almost always better. Students won't "veg out", but instead be challenged, rise, and then grow.

To sum up this rant, feel both sides have benefits, so why do people try to belittle the other side? There is a place for student's passively learning and there is a place for active learner participation in instruction.

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