Presented By: Matthew Gold, University of Florida
Co-Authors: Laura Greenhaw, University of Florida

The integration of film as a pedagogical tool in classrooms has long been acknowledged for its ability to provide learners with a vicarious experience, facilitating a connection between film and real-life scenarios (Champoux, 2005; Williams & McClure, 2010). Our research explored agricultural leadership learners’ satisfaction with learning through film and their intent to model teamwork and leadership behaviors portrayed in the film, The Imitation Game. A multiple case study design explored similarities and differences between two sections of a team leadership course. One section applied an inductive approach while the other applied a deductive approach. Learner satisfaction was assessed by seven items measured on a 5-point scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). Learners’ perceptions of modeling behaviors from the film were assessed through two additional items on the 5-point scale and an open-ended question on the final exam. Learners in both sections indicated overall satisfaction with the analysis assignment. Learners reported the approach was helpful (Mdeductive = 4.86, Minductive = 4.71), enjoyable (Mdeductive = 4.58, Minductive = 4.71), and motivating (Mdeductive = 4.61, Minductive = 4.71). Interestingly, learners’ perceptions of modeling behaviors from the film, by themselves and their peers, was varied. Nearly 64% of deductive learners reported that they modeled behaviors while only 28% of inductive learners reported the same. Alternatively, 53% of deductive learners indicated their peers had modeled behaviors from the film, while roughly 43% of inductive learners indicated the same. Moreover, inductive learners tended to highlight behaviors of specific characters they would model, while deductive learners tended to identify general behaviors they would model from specific scenes in the movie. We recommend educators consider integrating visual media such as film to help learners comprehend complex topics. Research should continue to investigate whether and how vicarious learning leads to modeling of behaviors.