Netflix and Learn

     Besides the obvious enjoyment factor that everyone gets from watching their favorite television shows, there are educational uses for Netflix. Just like with many unique technology ideas, the more diverse classes that are offered, the more a student can learn from a variety of areas and different methods.

     Many educators would scoff at the idea of bringing in Netflix or another streaming service for an education purpose; mostly because it costs money. That being said, a school would only really need one account and that runs $7.99 a month. The administrator could also lock certain movies or other parts from being used that a teacher may try to abuse. Another reason the school district may have a problem with it is because parents may not be thrilled to hear your school has Netflix. "They'll just be watching movies all day" a parent might think. Just like with so many things, it depends on how you are using it.

     I do use Netflix at home, mostly for shows, but after exploring a little more, there are places where education can be used. There is a category for documentaries that range from autobiographies on celebrities to global warming, the drug trade, terrorism and history. While looking, there was a documentary called "World War II in color" which obviously could be used in a history class. A geography class can use ones on global warming or on making the world green again. There are even some on cooking that a home education class could use once in a while for practical uses. A Spanish or french class could use this to watch foreign films to test their knowledge of the material. Although, the point this would make the most sense for would be a psychology class. Shows like "Making of a Murderer" or "Inside Out" can be analyzed for different purposes. Even horror movies like "Silence of the Lambs" can be useful, but permission slips would have to be given out. For a criminology class, "NCIS" or "Criminal Minds" can work to teach about the solving of crimes and how the evidence is tied together.

     Teachers have been showing movies in classes for years. Sometimes for educational purposes, and other times because it's almost Thanksgiving break and everyone is tired of learning. By using Netflix, in the right way, students can get an enriched learning experience by being able to analyze, for lack of a better word, real world problems. Movies are not just always for entertainment purposes, but to make people stop and think about life and what needs to be fixed.