Why comic books belong in the classroom - Gene Luen Yang

Quick Overview

Comic books belong in the classroom because they are a powerful, visually rich medium that effectively communicates complex information, as demonstrated by how graphic novels increased circulation in the Bishop O'Dowd High School library by 80% and how educators like Gene Luen Yang use them to engage students in subjects like math and science, countering historical anti-comic rhetoric like that of Dr. Fredric Wertham.

Key Points: Gene Luen Yang, a high school teacher and comic book creator, advocates for using comics in education to engage students. The use of graphic novels at Bishop O'Dowd High School increased circulation by 80% for graphic novels and 30% for non-comic materials. Yang's own comic, "Mr. Yang vs. the Forces of Algebra," personifies math concepts to make learning engaging. Historically, Dr. Fredric Wertham's 1954 book, "Seduction of the Innocent," severely damaged the reputation of comics by linking them to juvenile delinquency. Educators like Ms. Counts actively build impressive graphic novel collections to appeal to students raised in a visual culture. The video emphasizes that visual literacy, fostered by comics, is essential for students today who process information visually.

Context: This TEDEd animated adaptation of a TEDx Talk by Gene Luen Yang explores the value of integrating comic books and graphic novels into educational settings. Yang shares his personal journey from being mocked for reading comics in school to becoming a successful cartoonist and teacher who utilizes the medium to make learning compelling, contrasting this with historical efforts to discredit comics, such as the influential but flawed work of child psychologist Dr. Fredric Wertham.

Detailed Analysis

Gene Luen Yang argues that comic books belong in the classroom because they are a highly effective medium for visual learning, especially for students immersed in visual culture. Yang recounts his childhood experience of being ridiculed in fifth grade for reading DC Comics, which he nevertheless found life-changing. He later became a high school teacher and comic creator, using his own work to teach subjects like algebra, such as his comic "Mr. Yang vs. the Forces of Algebra." This approach proved successful: at Bishop O'Dowd High School, introducing graphic novels led to an 80% increase in graphic novel circulation and a 30% rise in non-comic material circulation. This success counters the historical narrative set by Dr. Fredric Wertham, whose 1954 book, "Seduction of the Innocent," falsely claimed comics caused juvenile delinquency and damaged their reputation for decades. Yang highlights educators like Ms. Counts, who build strong graphic novel collections because students are adept at processing information visually, making comics an invaluable tool for engagement across all K-12 subjects, including math and science.