An Interpretive Study of the Use of Films with University Students A
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UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA GRADUATE COLLEGE AT THE MOVIES: AN INTERPRETIVE STUDY OF THE USE OF FILMS WITH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By KATHRYNE RODEN Norman, Oklahoma 2007 UMI Number: 3263440 UMI Microform 3263440 Copyright 2007 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346 AT THE MOVIES: AN INTERPRETIVE STUDY OF THE USE OF FILMS WITH UNIVERSITY GRADUATE STUDENTS A DISSERTATION APPROVED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY STUDIES BY __________________________________ Irene E. Karpiak, Chair __________________________________ Jon Pedersen __________________________________ David Tan __________________________________ Courtney A. Vaughn __________________________________ Catherine Hobbs © Copyright by KATHRYNE RODEN 2007 All Rights Reserved. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My deepest gratitude goes to my Committee Chair, Dr. Irene Karpiak who guided, challenged, and inspired me not only through the dissertation process but throughout my entire doctoral program. Her belief in me and my research has been integral to my completion of this program. She has proven her dedication to me and my work time and again by contributing her insights, knowledge, and experience. I sincerely thank her for being my mentor, teacher, and friend. I am forever grateful for her dedication to my work. I would also like to acknowledge my Committee members who have supported my efforts and encouraged me on numerous occasions. Dr. Jon Pederson has provided me with unwavering encouragement, support, and interest in my work. His dedication to excellence and to my development as an educator and scholar has inspired me. Dr. David Tan has brought his expertise, advice, and undeniable insight into my research. His classes in higher education and research sparked my interest and guided my work. Dr, Courtney Vaughn has also contributed enthusiastically to my development as a researcher and educator by provoking thought and stimulating inquiry. Her guidance, encouragement, and participation have expanded my awareness, enthusiasm and expertise. Dr. Catherine Hobbs has contributed her incredible skill and objective perspective to my work. Her dedication to research and writing has inspired me as I have written my dissertation. I would also like to thank Huei-Chu Kung, Jesse Gregory, and Derek Arndt for being my dear friends and peers. Their enthusiastic support, collaboration, and honesty have been integral to my success and enjoyment of this program. Hours of conversation iv and joint endeavors have provided me with encouragement and have stretched my mind to consider the many facets of our experiences. I am most thankful to my two wonderful and amazing children, Julia and JohnDavid. Their confidence and unwavering support has motivated and sustained me. They have been a foundation in my life and continue to be my joy and inspiration. It has been a unique and meaningful experience to have both my children attending the University of Oklahoma at the same time as I am finishing my program. We have all enjoyed the support of each other and the university community. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Chapter One Introduction ……………………………………………………………………….1 Background of the Problem…………………………………………….................2 Statement of the problem………………………………………………...............12 Purpose…………………………………………………………………………..13 Research Questions……………………………………………………………....14 Assumptions……………………………………………………………………...14 Definitions………………………………………………………………..............15 Limitations……………………………………………………………….............17 Summary/Conclusions…………………………………………………………...18 Chapter Two Literature Review Introduction………………………………………………………………………20 Learning in Adult and Higher Education………………………………………...20 Importance of Experience to the Process of Learning…………………...23 The Brain, Active Participation, and Learning…………………………. 24 Active Participation and Elements of Complexity……………………….29 Active Participation and Aesthetics……………………………………...32 Technology and Learning in Higher Education………………………….35 The Role of Film………………………………………………………...................36 History of the Popularity and Availability of Film………………………...37 The Psychology of Film……………………………………………………40 vi Characteristics of Films……………………………………………………41 Viewers’ Reaction to Film…………………………………………………43 Distinctive Functions of Film……………………………………………...48 Film, Cognition, and Learning…………………………………………….47 Educational Use of Film…………………………………………………………...47 Use of Film for Learning…………………………………………………. 47 Empirical Research Concerning the Use of Film and Education…………48 Research Concerning Film and Method of Instruction……………………52 Research Concerning Film and Active Participation……………………...52 Concluding Comments Regarding Research………………………………54 Legal Issues Concerning Educational Use of Film………………………………..54 Copyright Considerations………………………………………………….54 Criteria for Fair Use………………………………………………………..55 Special Issues Concerning Fair Use……………………………………….55 Issues Concerning Recorded Television Programming…………………...56 Questions Concerning Copyright Laws……………………………………57 Chapter Three Methodology Mode of Inquiry………………………………………………………………….58 Description of Qualitative Research Design……………………………..59 Constructivism…………………………………………………………...60 Principles of Interpretivism……………………………………………...61 Research Design…………………………………………………………………64 vii Purpose of Research……………………………………………………..64 Sampling…………………………………………………………………64 Method of Data Collection………………………………………………72 Process of Data Collection……………………………………………….67 Entry into the Setting for Data Collection……………………………….67 Interviews………………………………………………………………...68 Clustering: An Interview Tool…………… ……………………………...69 Inspiration: Clustering Software………………………………………….69 Observations………………………………………………………………71 Data Analysis Procedures………………………………………………………...72 Strengths and Limitations of the Method………………………………………...74 Trustworthiness………………………………………..............................74 The Value of Interpretation in Qualitative Research……………………………75 Strengths of Interpretivism………………………………………………76 Limitations of Interpretativism…………………………………………..77 Ethics and Human Relations……………………………………………..77 Threats to Participants……………………………………………………78 Benefits to Participants…………………………………………………..78 Concluding Statement…………………………………………………………..78 Chapter 4 Findings Dimensions of the “Reel” Cinematic Experiences Introduction: The Cinematic Classroom…………………………………………81 Part One: viii Four Experiential Themes in the Cinematic Classroom……………....................82 Theme One: The Aesthetic Experience: Aesthetically Immersed in Film…………….82 Introduction of the Concept of the Aesthetic Experience………………..83 Qualities of the Aesthetic Experience……………………………………83 Discussion of the Aesthetic Experience: The Educational Significance…85 Theme Two: The Instructional Experience: Teaching and Learning through Film…...88 Introduction of the Concept of the Instructional Experience…………….89 Qualities of the Instructional Experience………………………………...89 Discussion of the Instructional Experience………………………………92 Theme Three: The Experience of Awareness: Becoming Mindful through Film…………..93 Introduction of the Concept of Awareness………………………………......93 Qualities of Awareness………………………………………………………93 Discussion of the Awareness: The Educational Significance…………….....97 Theme Four: The Shared Experience: Viewing the Film………………………………….98 Introduction of the Concept of the Shared Experience………………………98 Qualities of the Shared Experience…………………………………………..99 Discussion of the Shared Experience: The Educational Significance……...102 Part Two Five Learning Dimensions of the Cinematic Themes…………………..103 ix Dimension One: The Emotional Dimension: Stimulating the Feeling of It………………...103 Introduction of the Emotional Dimension………………………………...102 Features of the Emotional Dimension…………………………………… 104 Discussion of the Emotional Dimension: The Educational Significance...108 Dimension Two: The Cognitive Dimension Spurring: Thoughts through Films...................109 Introduction of the Cognitive Dimension………………………………...109 Features of the Cognitive Dimension…………………………………….109 Discussion of the Cognitive Dimension: The Educational Significance…113 Dimension Three: The Personal Dimension: Mirroring Individual Identity through Films….119 Introduction of the Personal Dimension………………………….............119 Features of the Personal Dimension……………………………………...120 Discussion of the Personal Dimension: The Educational Significance…..123 Dimension Four: The Social Dimension: Encountering Peers through Films: ……………..124 Introduction of the Social Dimension…………………………………….124 Features of the Social Dimension………………………………………...124 Discussion of the Social Dimension: The Educational Significance……..124 Dimension Five: The Cultural Dimension: Perceiving Mores through Films: ……………125 Introduction of the Cultural Dimension…………………………………..125 x Features of the Cultural Dimension………………………………………126 Discussion of the Cultural Dimension: The Educational Significance…...128 Complex and Interwoven: The Overlapping Nature of the Dimensions………130 The Cinematic Classroom Model: A Conceptual Design………………………131 Chapter Five Discussion Interpretive Analysis of the Cinematic Experience Introduction: Interpretive Analysis of Film as an Art Form in the Classroom…….. 133 What Cinematic Features