Signature pedagogies for educators using films: An example from Singapore

Abstract

This article discusses the application of Shulman’s (2005) ‘signature pedagogies’ through the utilisation of films for pre-service teachers and school leaders in Singapore. Using the films Dead Poets Society and Ahead of the Class, this article explains how these films facilitated the participants’ engagement with the surface, deep and implicit structures of education. In the process, they applied critical thinking by arriving at criteria-based and context-appropriate judgements reflectively. The research findings reveal two broad themes. First, the educators were cognisant of the key issues, opportunities, constraints and obstacles in teaching and school leadership. Secondly, they appreciated the importance of adopting situated teaching and leadership approaches to cater to the needs of various educational stakeholders. This study highlights critical thinking as a socio-cultural practice where the educators (re)interpreted the films through their cultural lenses and drew upon local resources and logics to deal with the challenges in the school contexts.