Using Popular Films to Challenge Preservice Teachers’ Beliefs about Teaching in Urban Schools

• Published in: Urban education (Beverly Hills, Calif.) Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 77 - 95
• Main Author: Grant, Peggy A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA Sage Publications 01.01.2002; Corwin Press; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Attitude Change; Attitudes; Authenticity; Beginning Teachers; Constructivism (Learning); Cultural Awareness; Diversity (Student); Educational sciences; Elementary Secondary Education; Environment; Higher Education; Inner City; Learning Processes; Learning Theories; Motion pictures; Multicultural Education; Mythology; Preservice Teacher Education; Preservice teachers; Schools; Sociology of education; Student Teacher Attitudes; Suburban Schools; Teacher Educators; Teachers; Teaching Methods; Urban areas; Urban context, rural context; Urban Schools; USA; Stereotype; Urban Environment; Film; Cinema; Teaching Perception
• ISSN: 0042-0859; 1552-8340
• DOI: 10.1177/0042085902371006

Three popular films reflect many ideas that preservice teachers have about teaching in urban schools: Dangerous Minds, Stand and Deliver, and 187. These movies reinforce naïve beliefs about teaching and learning by depicting classrooms in which students find right answers, authentic learning consists of using street language, and students are only extrinsically motivated. Teachers in these movies are defined by their personal involvement with students as they rescue them from the pathology of their homes and communities. These images can be used as starting points for reflection about learning and teaching, diversity, and working in educational communities.