The lecture is the quintessential passive learning technique: “The lecture … is passive learning, with very low student involvement … Students are expected, and even encouraged, to sit quietly, listen, and perhaps take notes”. Learning styles are broadly classified as either active or passive: “Passive learning takes place when students take on the role of ‘receptacles of knowledge’ … Active learning is more likely to take place when students are doing something besides listening”.
Further work would be needed to treat the show in a quantitative manner (such as determining the frequency of certain techniques per episode and season) and was beyond the intended scope of this text, which was to acquaint educators at all levels with MythBustersas a valuable pedagogical resource.įirst, MythBustersgets audience members learning in an active manner. The analysis conducted was qualitative (descriptive) in nature.
Other techniques, such as anthropomorphizing scientific phenomena, are employed only when certain topics, e.g., inertia, are discussed. Some techniques, such as achieving active learning, feature prominently in nearly every episode. Episode content varied, with episodes employing a different number of pedagogical techniques and to varying effect. Examples were taken from across the show’s decade-long span. For the sake of brevity, many equally illustrative examples could not be included. The examples contained in this treatment should not be taken as exhaustive nor necessarily the most compelling, i.e., cherry-picked. Narration and dialogue were transcribed and in cases of ambiguity, subtitles were consulted. The most commonly employed pedagogical techniques quickly became evident, and examples illustrating those techniques were sought in the content analysis of the remaining episodes. A myth can be deemed “confirmed,” “busted,” or “plausible,” if possible though highly improbable.Ĭomplete seasons of MythBusterswere downloaded from Apple’s iTunes Store and the episodes systematically analyzed in chronological order. The premise of MythBustersinvolves the hosts (Adam Savage, Jamie Hyneman and build team members Tory Belleci, Kari Byron, and Grant Imahara) testing the validity of various urban legends, folk tales, common idioms, historical accounts, and internet viral videos using thinking and processes that are grounded in the scientific method.
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Physics educators in particular may look to MythBustersfor inspiration and guidance in how to incorporate these techniques into their own teaching and help their students in the learning process. MythBustersrepresents an untapped source of pedagogical techniques science educators may consider availing themselves of in their tireless effort to better reach their students. In this content analysis, episodes from the show’s 10-year history were methodically examined for these techniques. These techniques include: achieving active learning, accommodating different learning styles, avoiding jargon, employing repetition to ensure comprehension, anthropomorphizing physical phenomena, using captivating demonstrations, cultivating an enthusiastic disposition, and increasing intrinsic motivation to learn. While its focus is on entertainment, the show employs an array of sophisticated pedagogical techniques to communicate scientific concepts to its audience. MythBusters, the long-running Discovery Channel science television show, has proven itself to be far more than just a highly rated cable program. Science educators in particular may look to MythBusters for inspiration and guidance in how to incorporate these pedagogical techniques into their own teaching and help their students in the learning process. MythBusters represents an untapped source of pedagogical techniques educators at all levels may consider availing themselves of in their tireless effort to better reach their students. In this content analysis, episodes from the show’s 10-year history were methodically examined for these instructional techniques.
The popular cable program employs an array of sophisticated pedagogical techniques to communicate scientific concepts to its audience. The long-running Discovery Channel science television show MythBusters has proven itself to be far more than just a source of weekly entertainment.