Definition of the Controversy
Television has changed tremendously in its less than one hundred year history. One thing that has changed the most is the variety of programming on TV. Television went from being three channels to now hundreds of channels; from NBC, to the Disney Channel, to HBO. Sesame Street has been on for decades and continues to entertain and teach children, but there are many other programs for kids of all ages. Our local cable company, Bright House Networks, is the primary television provider for these channels and programs.
Bright House Networks’ mission statement includes long-term commitments to the arts, education, and to what matters in the lives of their customers. Bright House Networks is a proud supporter of and a partner in children’s safety initiatives, enhanced education programs, and community-wide efforts to invest in the futures of children (Bright House). Cable in the Classroom is the main organization that Bright House Networks is connected with to provide educational programming. Alongside local cable companies, Cable in the Classroom supplies free educational cable television and technology to classrooms across the country.
With television being a powerful and engaging medium in today’s world, more and more time is spent watching it. Children are watching about 1,023 hours of TV a year, compared to the 900 hours they spend in school in a year (Gavin). This is exactly why Cable in the Classroom is a crucial program for children. It is apparent that television is appealing to kids, so this should be taken advantage of by offering educational television programs for students to watch instead of nonsensical cartoons and violence. Some people argue that no television is the best solution. Many others, however, argue that moderate amounts of educational television will engage a child’s attention and engage their mind for learning.
Bright House Networks’ mission statement includes long-term commitments to the arts, education, and to what matters in the lives of their customers. Bright House Networks is a proud supporter of and a partner in children’s safety initiatives, enhanced education programs, and community-wide efforts to invest in the futures of children (Bright House). Cable in the Classroom is the main organization that Bright House Networks is connected with to provide educational programming. Alongside local cable companies, Cable in the Classroom supplies free educational cable television and technology to classrooms across the country.
With television being a powerful and engaging medium in today’s world, more and more time is spent watching it. Children are watching about 1,023 hours of TV a year, compared to the 900 hours they spend in school in a year (Gavin). This is exactly why Cable in the Classroom is a crucial program for children. It is apparent that television is appealing to kids, so this should be taken advantage of by offering educational television programs for students to watch instead of nonsensical cartoons and violence. Some people argue that no television is the best solution. Many others, however, argue that moderate amounts of educational television will engage a child’s attention and engage their mind for learning.
Illustration of the Problem
Television can be an excellent educator and entertainer when carefully constructed educational television programming is watched. Preschoolers can get help learning the alphabet on Sesame Street, grade schoolers can learn about animals on nature shows, and high schoolers can keep up with and learn about current events on the evening news.
Studies have shown that preschool age children who watch educational programs, such as Sesame Street, do better on pre-reading skills than children who did not watch. These same studies also show that children who watch cartoons or other purely entertainment television shows during their preschool years, do poorer on pre-reading skills at age 5. Finally, in a long-term study of high schoolers, researchers found that viewing educational TV programs as pre-schoolers was associated with higher grades, more reading, less aggression, and more value placed on academics (Television’s Effect).
Gloria Rodriguez, a fifth grade teacher at Waterford Elementary School in Orlando, Florida, thinks that children can benefit from watching programming geared towards their age groups. Some television shows that she thinks are good for kids today are Myth Busters on the Discovery Channel and Dora the Explorer. Mrs. Rodriguez thinks that educational programs can be used in the classroom to engage students in learning. Finally Mrs. Rodriguez said, “I think that the things taught, or lack thereof, in children’s programming has an effect in the classroom.”
Studies have shown that preschool age children who watch educational programs, such as Sesame Street, do better on pre-reading skills than children who did not watch. These same studies also show that children who watch cartoons or other purely entertainment television shows during their preschool years, do poorer on pre-reading skills at age 5. Finally, in a long-term study of high schoolers, researchers found that viewing educational TV programs as pre-schoolers was associated with higher grades, more reading, less aggression, and more value placed on academics (Television’s Effect).
Gloria Rodriguez, a fifth grade teacher at Waterford Elementary School in Orlando, Florida, thinks that children can benefit from watching programming geared towards their age groups. Some television shows that she thinks are good for kids today are Myth Busters on the Discovery Channel and Dora the Explorer. Mrs. Rodriguez thinks that educational programs can be used in the classroom to engage students in learning. Finally Mrs. Rodriguez said, “I think that the things taught, or lack thereof, in children’s programming has an effect in the classroom.”
