Community College Image - by Hollywood
2007; Volume: 13; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
1081-9428
Autores Tópico(s)Innovations in Educational Methods
ResumoThis qualitative study analyzes how the most recent community college film, Evolution (2001) depicts and portrays the image of a community college as interpreted by attending community college students. Previous community college research suggests that college choice, enrollment, and funding may be affected by perceived image. Image is greatly influenced by the pervasiveness of film. Whether film is accurate or not, it influences audiences and their understanding of a community college. To date, only one other study has been conducted that explores the community college image as represented in film (LaPaglia, 1994). Students enrolled in one of the nation's most noted community college systems (St. Louis Community College) participate in the study. The data is analyzed using the respected research methodology of content analysis. The research participants' analysis reveals their perception that professors are more concerned with research than teaching, and little time is devoted to students and assisting them with their educational needs. Furthermore, conflict and power struggles outside of the college appear to consume enormous amounts of a professor's time and energy. The results of the research indicate that film communicates the reel image of a community college and not the real image. Background Films, in general, are a pivotal information source for many viewing audiences. Since the invention of the magic lantern, films have had the ability to communicate ideas like no other mass medium (McClure, 1993). They offer a front row visual description of persons, ideas, and entities. In addition, films present a visual description of topics that may otherwise have been obscure due to a lack of knowledge. Higher films offer potential college bound students and current students an insider look at the college experience. Through films, students have access to a world of experience, information, and attitudes far wider than ever before possible (McClure, 1993, pp. v-vi). Research offered by the Motion Picture Association (2003) says that those parsons between the ages of 12-24 comprise some 50 percent of movie admissions. Broken down further, the largest age group attending movies is 16-20 because they see more than one film per month (Motion Picture Association, 2004). Interestingly, a study of college students reports that they spend only 4.3 hours per week reading books, newspapers, or magazines. In contrast, they devote 31.18 hours per week (over seven times as much) to movies, music, radio, and television (Kamalipour, Robinson, & Nortman, 1998). Students enjoy the movie-going experience because it offers them a means of self-escape, assistance with self-development, and entertainment (Tesser, Millar, & Wu, 1987). In addition, Austin (1982) indicates that college students frequent movies because of attitudinal dimensions such as educational value, potential for social inquiry, and content and value ... (p. 211). To date, films about higher highlight the social aspects of college, which overshadow the academic benefits. Farber, Provenzo, and Holm (1994) claim, within the set of movies, classrooms are either settings of spectacle, including spectacle of dreadful dullness, or hardly worth showing at all (p. 30). Relating specifically to community colleges, the media currently portrays community colleges as the Rodney Dangerfields of higher education (Hill, 2005). Practitioners of higher education, if they do not already, need to care about their community college's image as directed by Hollywood. They need to understand and respond to how their profession and institution is perceived by potential students, current students, and other interested parties who may fund the community college. Films have the ability to distort images, which may influence societal perceptions of higher education, specifically community colleges. Bottom line, audiences do not simply view a film and walk away untouched. …
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