Education as Entertainment

Last year I wrote a blog about Sno-Isle’s “hidden” collection of DVDs. These are the educational DVDs that most of our libraries have interfiled with their books.

In that blog I emphasized the point that although we identify them as “educational” you can find a lot of entertaining content in this collection.

However, I feel there is nothing more “entertaining” than a really good “educational” DVD and one of my all-time favorites is the Connections series hosted by James Burke.

I wish I could remember which of my high school teachers introduced me to them. I would give him full credit because they inspired my young mind.

I have always had an interest in history and these productions certainly helped to fuel it. However, they also gave me an appreciation for the sciences and the tremendous impact they have on history. All in a clever, rapidly moving, fun package.

The show was hosted by the wonderful James Burke, a science historian with a sense of humor delivered in a dry British style.

Each show would examine the impact and domino effect of scientific discoveries up and down the historical timeline and around the world. This has our lucky host bouncing all over the globe to the location of the next technological advancement, giving the show the added feel of a travelogue.

Sno-Isle owns all three of the runs of Connections. Check ‘em out!

Nate - Snohomish Library Reference