School: Koulunmäen yhtenäiskoulu, Äänekoski
Movies Help Identify People
The movie actors do a great job putting themselves into the story, the era, and the lives of the characters. The possibility of identification increases the poignancy of the story. At the school in Äänekoski, films are used both in teaching and as a counterweight to the actual school work. Niko Rossi, who works there as a subject teacher and class supervisor of the upper classes, feels that the film motivates the students in a very special way: “We offer our students the opportunity to choose history as an elective, and especially in this course I use film as learning material. Our optional history course is really popular among our students precisely because of its cinematic content.”
The film would seem to be particularly suitable for examining and teaching historical events. It also makes historical figures seem more human. Things characteristic of the era such as the living environment, lifestyle, and clothing are revealed to the viewer in a very concrete way when watching the film.
The film helps to identify with people and live in situations. The actors do a great job putting themselves into the story, the era, and the lives of the characters. The possibility of identification increases the poignancy of the story. The destinies depicted in real life and the film collide,” describes Rossi.
Movies as Part of Education Tools
The film works at Koulunmäki Unified School as a good conversation starter and thought-provoking. This gives a good starting point for teaching. Students can also be taught source criticism. “We discuss with our students the film we watched together and critically examine the work we saw – Which things in the film were true and which were false. After the film, we focus on the actual study, where the students can see connections between the story told by the film and other learning material,” says Rossi.
Koulunmäki unified school also uses the film as a counterbalance to normal life in its events and theme weeks. “For example, we have gathered students of a certain age group to watch a film. The theme of the film could have been related to, for example, supporting well-being. Of course, during the corona period, we have not been able to gather a large group of students together,” says Rossi.
Taking into Account Copyrights
Koulunmäki Unified School has obtained permits to show films through Vuosilupa offered by M & M Viihdepalvelu. “I feel that the film has given a great addition to our teaching work and the everyday life of the schoolchildren. At Koulunmäki Unified School, we also have a clear line in taking copyright issues into account and ensuring the livelihood of creators of creative work. Therefore, I would like to recommend M & M Viihdepalvelu’s film licenses to others as well!” summarizes Rossi.
Find a suitable public screening movie license and apply.