Entertainment has never been so accessible or widespread. Every day we are bombarded with messages in many forms: radio ads for the local car dealer, TV ads for the newest mobile phone or computer, billboards for fast food. But some of what we consume may contain educational content, even if we don’t realize it. The article by Singhal and Rogers discussed the wide range of uses for educational entertainment, whether developed locally, as part of a national campaign, or promoting a policy. Many think of educational entertainment as it is used for health campaigns in the third world, but this is a topic that can be applied to a wide range of areas, from reaching people in developing nations, to educating young children about internet safety in the UK, and could be used more even in the US. Cable channels such as the Discovery Network, as well as shows on PBS such as Sesame Street, and Wishbone, were part of my own personal edutainment growing up. But I fear that with the broad range of alternate entertainment options, consumption has fallen with the introduction of mindless television shows on MTV (because, let's face it, unless you're looking on tips how to use a bumpit, there is no real educational value in Jersey Shore).
In our discussion of globalization and the media, we learned that people tend to consume media which they already agree with. Like slipping extra vegetables into the spaghetti sauce, educational entertainment introduces new idea into the minds of the consumers; it’s good for them, but may be better received if they don’t know it’s there. But it is equally important to consider the neutrality of the content. If the material is seen as propaganda or against cultural values there may be some push-back from the public. However, if this is taken into consideration, educational content is also a great way to reach rural areas or illiterate people who may not read materials being distributed. In the study of of the Indian drama Jasoos Vijay, it is important to note that not only the way the educational entertainment was delivered (here, via television), but the content as well. Interviewees enjoyed the Indian cultural content and the dramatic format. When people felt a connection with the show, they continued to watch and therefore continued to learn. This is a great example of using media to change an audience perspective.
I agree with your saying. The concept of entertainment-education is definitely a fine line to walk. Too much push, or blatant propaganda can leave people with a bad taste in their mouth and a disregard for the subject matter's importance. Then again the opposite can occur if the content is too neutral, where the viewer gains nothing out of the content BUT entertainment.
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up a valid point though, educational content in entertainment is not limited to just children shows but a wide variety of media. This may very well be considered the foundation from which youth or younger generations go about creating social change and new norms.Thus, the influence of content and how its perceived by an audience can have a dramatic or subtle impact on society as a whole.
I'm still a little iffy on education entertainment, even though I'm all about health promotion... I think E-E has great potential just like everyone else who has blogged on this issue this week, but what about backlash? I think the danger might not be how much "education" we infuse into a product, but how seriously we take it. Who does not make fun of Smokey the Bear?? I for one never took that dude seriously and I will say that the dangers of forest fires were completely lost on me because of him. Maybe I was just a jaded little 8 year old, but I also think that trying to infuse too much education into entertainment would loose the point of both.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I am a huge fan of Eductainment, even though at times the educational value can be a bit subliminal. To the day, I haven't figured out how our Sesame Street can portray the Cookie Monster in such a positive way (minus the whole not talking coherently thing) without kids getting hooked on them. There is a message there that even as an adult I don't understand!
ReplyDeleteHowever, the point of your posting seemed to aim more towards how to infuse regular shows with educational content. Tricky stuff (and I really like that vegetables in the spaghetti sauce analogy). And do we give up on the generations already hooked on over-sized oompa loompas and go straight to the young impressionable minds? Fortunately, your post got me asking questions. Unfortunately, the answers would become a dissertation.
While I LOVE edutainment, (I could watch PBS all day lol), it seems to me that society is much more trash-tv oriented. It is interesting to note the shows that the ten year old boy I babysit chooses to watch if he turns on the tv. He says he USED to watch Sesame Street... but "now Cookie Monster is Veggie Monster, and no one likes veggies!" Perhaps Edutainment is pushing it... they DO have an audience to cater to, and that audience simply enjoys cookies more than veggies. Even Disney shows for the younger generation now seem to be filled with drama and themes of appearance and acceptance... with of course the hidden underlying themes of honesty, unselfishness, etc.
ReplyDeletealso like your vegetables in the spaghetti sauce analogy. It is the best people are learning something useful unconsciously without being imposed upon by other people's opinions. That what edutainment programs should take into consideration. They should balance the relationship between entertainment and education. I also agree with you the content should be neutral and odorless. If people feel the show has nothing to do with their own cultural identity, or even has a negative cultural clash, they might have a public backlash against the show. For example, the safe sex programs in West are regarded good and necessary for many people. But if they want to introduce similar programs in the Asia or Middle East regions, they really need to think carefully how to localize the content, while still retaining the appealing format--edutainment.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the point made about the increase in popularity of ridiculous media (like useless shows on MTV, etc). There is a great movie called Idiocracy that is funny prediction of the future...that all smart people are weeded out over time, leaving only idiots to rule the world. It includes some points about media and how it could potentially be used to put out incorrect information and how this could affect the minds and actions of people watching.
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