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Reflection on “School of Rock”:

One of the features that gets my attention is the name of the teacher,his name is Dewey Finn. His character is moulded by film’ director to have John Dewey ideas. Maybe it is just a coincidence but it fits the purpose. Firstly, Dewey Finn, manages to get his students attention when the music lessons are meaningful and related to their daily life. His students motivation increases when he coordinates everybody roles according to their talents and interests. Not just that, as John Dewey himself focus on play so that it can be transferred and develop kids creativities, so goes Dewey Finn, when he allows and permit his students to develop their talents in music based on their interest. Dewey proves his point when he in fact appreciate and use his student piece of artwork for the competition.

In contrast to Dewey Finn characters, I think the Principle, Rosaline Roz Mullins is more strict, following exactly the subject matter teacher’s point of views. Everything must be black and white,that reminds me when she asked about Dewey’s approach in teaching his students, she is being so defensive on what she believes by asking where does Dewey get his methodology from and etc and importantly, she does not value Dewey’s ideas even order Dewey Finn to change the way/ methodology that he uses to teach his students. I think she is so narrowed and focused by believing every lessons must stick to the curriculum and emphasis on goals/objectives. I think her views will make education is not enjoyable and meaningful to the students. Rather than permitted herself to be love bearing teacher or educationist, she inclines to be more like a policewoman. Anyway, I think she becomes like that due to pressure from parents that wanting everything. This reflects and reminds me that parents can be involved in curriculum development but their voices should not be authoritative over us, educationist that learn and understand education better. I can sense the control over education that society exerts in nowadays situation. However, I am perplexed to see how the parents mood and views towards the school change when they see their kids performed and win the competition. I wonder what will happen if their kids do not win? This makes me thinking, Is the result so important for parents? What about the inspiration and joy education/ educationists/ teachers/epiphanies bring to students?

I believe if John Dewey still alive today, he will definitely HAIL this movie.

Tags: approach to curriculum, education, education development, John Dewey, school of rock, student centered