The television has come a long way from the black and white box most parents today used when they were kids. Not only has the image quality improved, but some might argue that even the content is much better, especially when it comes to helping students.
However, most parents view television as a distraction for kids. Due to the fact that not many people appreciate the benefit television has had on education, this article aims to correct that by going over 7 positives in education that can be attributed to television.
7 Instances When Television Improved Education
Education is critical to any society, and we often see little progress in areas where it is disregarded. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student, you stand to gain from setting education as a priority. Television isn’t the first choice, but it has many good impacts on education:
- Inspires creativity
- Serves as a great pastime
- Offers educational content
- Enthuses about sports
- Teaches about other cultures
- Encourages reading
- Increases awareness of public issues
1. Inspires creativity
Television continues to bring creative and exciting content to our screens, as it has done over the years. For example, you can watch a show that covers the daily struggles of someone with a disability to find encouragement.
There are also TV shows on the arts featuring painting classes and much more. As a kid, at times, you just need the right inspiration to explore your creative side, and television can help kids achieve this. More frequently than before, we see kids come up with art projects inspired by what they saw on television.
2. Serves as a great pastime
After a long and hectic day, most students will feel tired and burnt out. This is normal with almost every aspect of life, but with schooling, you must be at your best. One great relaxation option for students has been the television.
With the different genres of music videos, shows, and movies, there is an almost endless supply of entertainment on TV. So whether you prefer comedy to action movies, you will find something for yourself. Also, with streaming services such as Netflix and Disney Plus, students don’t need to pay so much to afford a relaxing time on the couch watching TV.
3. Offers educational content
While school is where students go to study, the learning doesn’t necessarily stop there. Today there are many TV shows teaching students various topics that aid their academics. Younger kids who are just beginning to learn how to read and write tend to enjoy shows such as Sesame Street and Dora the explorer.
Not only do they find such shows fun, but they can also learn in the process. Whether teaching students their ABCs, chemistry, physics, biology or art, television has various educational content for students to consume.
4. Enthuses about sports
Athletics are a great way to keep in shape and win some financial support for educational and personal purposes. Television has been known to be very helpful if you’re learning a particular sport or looking for one to partake in. For instance, school competitions are usually given media coverage.
Seeing fellow students engage in competitive events is a great way to inspire confidence and determination to excel in one’s sporting interests. And television can be an excellent tool for learning about different sports. For example, the Olympic events have the best athletes competing with each other, so if you’re interested in a particular sport, you can spectate the techniques of the best athletes from different parts of the world while sitting on your couch!
5. Teaches about other cultures
There are so many shows and channels that teach their viewers about various cultures. You can learn a lot from watching just 30 minutes of such television daily. For instance, the history channel, as the name would suggest, covers history topics from 5 years back to more than 2000 years ago. You can also learn how other cultures and societies function.
This is a great way to improve your knowledge of your environment. Also, it can help you come up with a good topic for your essay. Speaking of school assignments, if you aren’t that good at writing, you can always use TopEssayWriting, a top-notch online writing service. Their experts can help you with your culture or history essay, doing the research for you and ensuring you will get a great mark.
6. Encourages reading
Most of what you watch on TV is content that requires some reading. For example, when a sign pops up in Dora the explorer asking viewers to provide an answer to a question, you will need to be able to read it to understand what’s being said.
So, for kids just learning to read and write, this can be a great tool to encourage them. Also, when watching more advanced shows, you may expand your vocabulary. When watching a movie or a TV show, you can check if it was based on the book and read it to get a fuller experience.
7. Increases awareness of public issues
You should always keep your finger on the pulse and watch the global and local news. Perhaps there will be a vote on a new budget to reduce school aid or increase tuition costs. As a student, you must be aware of such news.
While you might not be able to work with lawmakers directly, you can vote or make better financial decisions by being updated on public issues. News channels and documentaries make such information readily available.
Bottom Line
While television was invented almost 100 years ago, it has become a big part of how we learn and socialize. When parents see their kids watch TV, they might be tempted to assume it’ll have a harmful impact on their lives. However, when you consider the good television has brought to education over the years, it becomes clear that it has positive effects as well.