RESEARCH
& EVALUATION
2004-2005
International Pilot Project
Today,
Journeys
in Film
has reached almost 5000 students through the 2004-2005
Pilot Project. Students grades 5 through 9 in
seven cities including Albuquerque, Chicago, Los Angeles,
New York City, Seattle, Tulsa and Toronto were evaluated
for attitudinal change towards other cultures, as
well as geography and social studies skills.
The
four films included in the Journeys in Film 2005-2006
Pilot Project were:
- THE
CUP (Tibet/India)
- THE
WAY HOME (Korea)
- CHILDREN
OF HEAVEN (Iran)
- WHALE
RIDER (Maori/New Zealand)
Pilot
Project curriculum guides included lesson plans from
the following disciplines:
1.
Social Studies - historical and geographical
context of film
2.
General Culture - introducing and exploring
participants' cultural values, filters, perceptions,
etc. from Building Bridges: A Peace Corps Classroom
Guide to Cross-Cultural Understanding
Guide
can be downloaded at www.peacecorps.gov/wws/bridges/
3.
Arts - a visual or performing art from the
culture depicted in film
4.
Media Literacy - introducing participants to
characters, plot, etc., and teaching critical viewing
skills
5.
Specific Culture - analyzing culture content
of film such as foods, family structure, greetings,
gender roles, etc.; comparing and contrasting to culture/s
of participants.
Journeys
in Film 2004-2005 Pilot Project Results
Research
indicates that the goal of increasing cross-cultural
understanding among secondary school students through
the use of the Journeys
in Film
program has been effective in these areas:
1.
Increased positive opinion of other countries
2.
Increased willingness to meet people from other countries
3.
Broadened understanding of the quality of children's
lives in other countries
4.
Shift in perceptions that American customs are superior
to those of other countries
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