The Dead Poet's Society, 1989

The "rip it out" scene!





What is this great scene from The Dead Poet's Society an example of?
It could be an example of Lowenfeldian teaching at the college level.
Viktor Lowenfeld was an Austrian (b 1903- d 1960) who studied art history,sculpture, psychology and art education. Lowenfeld believed that a persuasive "Motivation" was important to activate the students. "Every teacher knows how a classroom motivation can become 'contagious.' Getting hold of all the children, such as a football game with a large attendance" (Saunders)
You can clearly see the contagious factor in this scene, as first one and then all of the students begin to follow the strange directions. Why not have a classroom like a football game, as long as you're the coach!