'Breaking Bad's chemistry class would get teachers fired
What's the story
Breaking Bad is a popular television series that has captivated audiences with its gripping storyline and complex characters. However, when it comes to the portrayal of chemistry teaching, the show takes certain liberties that do not align with real-world practices. This article explores some of the inaccuracies in how chemistry education is depicted in Breaking Bad, offering insights into what might be misleading for viewers who are unfamiliar with actual classroom dynamics.
Experimentation
Overemphasis on dangerous experiments
While Breaking Bad is all about dangerous and illegal experiments, high school chemistry classes are all about safety-first. Teachers are required to follow strict guidelines to ensure the students's safety while conducting the experiments. Such a portrayal can give a skewed perception of what happens, where controlled and safe experiments are the norm.
Complexity
Simplification of complex concepts
The show often simplifies complex chemical concepts for dramatic effect. While this makes for engaging television, it doesn't accurately reflect the depth and intricacy involved in teaching chemistry. Educators spend significant time breaking down these concepts into understandable segments for students, which requires more than just a few quick explanations or demonstrations.
Classroom environment
Unrealistic classroom dynamics
The classroom environment shown in Breaking Bad is far from realistic, especially when it comes to teacher-student interactions and classroom management. Real-life classrooms come with a set of diverse student needs, and teachers employ a variety of strategies to get students engaged. The show's portrayal can easily mislead viewers about the challenges teachers face daily to maintain an effective learning environment.
Methodology
Lack of emphasis on scientific methodology
While the scientific method is a cornerstone of any science education, it gets little attention in Breaking Bad. In real-life classrooms, teachers stress forming a hypothesis, experimentation, observation, and conclusion drawing as part of the scientific inquiry. This systematic approach allows students to develop critical thinking skills needed to comprehend science, not just memorize facts or conduct standalone experiments.