Bringing Hollywood to Graduate School: Using Films to Promote Engagement for Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 13
  In Roundtable Session: Innovations in Teacher Preparation Using Technology

Abstract

Research has shown that films are impactful learning tools because they provide insight into the human and psychological aspects of topics in the curriculum (Abidi et al., 2017). The use of films in higher education has been shown to enhance students’ discipline-specific perspectives. This paper describes an assignment in a graduate-level course in speech-language pathology designed to promote learning about childhood disabilities. An analysis of student reflection papers provides evidence that this assignment prompted a heightened empathy for the challenges of living with disabilities and a deeper awareness of the need for support systems. The films also inspired students to recognize the need for advocacy for children with disabilities and conveyed applicable knowledge relevant to their future work.

Author

• Lesley Sylvan, Montclair State University