ROSEBANK – An exciting partnership between Ster-Kinekor cinemas and the Cinema Park Network has brought an interactive learning experience to the big screen.
Cinema Park Network has, for 20 years, developed multi-sensory educational programmes for use in cinemas, and this educational innovation can now be experienced in South Africa at The Zone@Rosebank.
The cinema’s Rhae Shawn Kabantu said that almost 3 000 pupils had attended screenings of the various programmes available since the May 2012 trial period.
“This is our educational platform. As a cinema, we show films that sometimes have negative connotations, but with this, our cinemas can help people make positive choices,” she said.
The Cinema Park experience features different programmes aimed at primary and high schools, and cover topics like environmental awareness, drugs and substance abuse, and driver safety.
“In each programme, the pupils and teachers are taken through different experiences; 3D, darkness, motion, interaction, music and inspiration. The programme makes use of surround sound, 3D, wireless and interactive technology,” said Kabantu.
On entering the cinema, each pupil will receive a remote control, which is used during the programme to answer questions or follow other instructions that appear onscreen or are given by a facilitator.
At the end of the programme, three individual winners are announced, as is a winning team.
“The feedback has been very positive thus far, and the Department of Education has also shown an interest,” she said.
Grade 7 pupils from Colin Mann Primary School in Germiston attended a screening, and were engrossed in the experience.
Pupils Jared Govindsamy, Bhavani Ramsamy and Samantha Nell said they enjoyed the experience.
“This makes learning fun, because we weren’t just reading from books. I enjoyed the 3D most of all,” said Govindsamy.
Nell said she most enjoyed the interactivity of the programme, while Ramsamy said the experience was made even more fun with a competition between the boys and the girls.
Teacher Natasha Gordon also enjoyed the screening.
“It reinforced what we learn in class, and we learned even more through it. The programme showed how the information we have can be used to make the world a better place,” said Gordon.
Kabantu said the Cinema Park experience was only available at The Zone@Rosebank, and that schools would need to book for the experience through herself.
Details: 011-445-7726; rhae-shawn@sterkinekor.com
