Core Skills Analysis
History
- Learnt to identify historically accurate documentaries or series on Netflix that provide insight into specific time periods.
- Developed critical thinking skills by comparing historical narratives presented through visual media versus traditional textbooks.
- Recognized the importance of understanding different perspectives and biases in historical storytelling on streaming platforms.
- Understood the value of using audiovisual media to supplement learning about significant historical events and figures.
Music
- Explored how music documentaries or films on Netflix illustrate the cultural context of different music genres.
- Observed the evolution of music styles and influential musicians through curated streaming content.
- Gained exposure to diverse musical traditions and their societal impacts showcased in educational series or films.
- Understood how music can reflect historical and social movements as presented through selected Netflix documentaries.
Science
- Learned to access scientific documentaries that explain complex concepts through engaging visuals and narratives.
- Applied observational skills by noting the scientific methods and experiments demonstrated in streaming content.
- Developed curiosity about various scientific fields by encountering diverse topics available on Netflix.
- Appreciated the role of multimedia in making abstract scientific ideas more accessible and relatable.
Social Studies
- Identified social issues and cultural dynamics presented in Netflix documentaries or series.
- Understood the role of media in shaping public perception about social justice, economics, and political systems.
- Engaged with real-world case studies and current events featured in educational streaming material.
- Recognized the importance of critical media literacy when interpreting social studies content from digital platforms.
Tips
To deepen the educational value of using Netflix for learning, encourage the student to take notes or create summaries after watching each program to reinforce comprehension. Integrate discussions or debates about the content’s accuracy, perspective, and relevance to real-world issues. Pair viewing with related research or projects, such as creating timelines for historical documentaries or conducting experiments inspired by science shows. Additionally, explore opportunities for multimedia creation like making a short film review or presentation that connects themes from Netflix content to class topics.
Book Recommendations
Learning Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.7: Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Try This Next
- Create a worksheet prompting students to list three facts learned, one question raised, and one opinion about the documentary or series viewed.
- Design a quiz with multiple-choice questions focused on verifying key content details and understanding biases or perspectives presented in the film.