Use of television content in the process of personality formation: history and current realities

Abstract

The article analyses how television content was used in the process of personality formation in previous historical periods and how it is used in today's conditions. It is emphasised that television has already become an integral part of everyone’s life, and Ukrainians spend more than four hours a day watching TV. After all, television is the primary source of news, information and entertainment for them. It is highlighted that the impact of television content on the viewer is obvious, although it can be not only positive but also negative.

 It is noted that it has been accumulated considerable experience of the use of television for educational purposes in Ukraine during the second half of the twentieth century. The data concerning school disciplines of which educational TV programs were created, their subjects, calendar-thematic plans for demonstration of such programs, have been represented in the article.

The results of the teachers’ survey of different majors (history, law, computer science, physics, handicraft, science, health and safety and physical culture) on the topic "Your attitude to television" have been presented.

Teachers, in particular, recommend increasing the attention of the state leadership to the quality of television and recruitment; introduce censorship; the management of TV channels to be critical of the programs that go on the air; expand the share of domestic content (create a social channel for children, cognitive channels, educational and pedagogic TV programs); reduce the amount of advertising and politics; minimise repetitions and information about cruelty in the news; more often show old movies, sports programs, programs about the history of Ukraine and prominent people of this country.

It is concluded that the use of television content in the process of personality formation is appropriate, and the experience gained in Ukraine of creating and using educational TV programs in schools requires careful study and revival, taking into account the requirements and today's conditions.