Deconstruct Learning Ep. 3: Movies and Teaching

Stories captivate, entertain, and—most importantly—make learning stick. In this episode of Deconstruct Learning, Senior Media Producer David Würdemann and Learning Designer Alina Liamzina unpack the power of storytelling in education. From navigational dividers and lomography handbooks to trolley dilemmas and alien observers, they explore how narrative transforms abstract ideas into meaningful experiences.

Drawing on insights from filmmakers like Peter Kerstan, Robert Rodriguez, and Werner Herzog, the conversation bridges cinema and pedagogy—showing how raw authenticity, emotional truth, and even surreal twists can spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and activate critical thinking in the classroom.

But storytelling isn’t without its pitfalls. How do we ensure narratives serve learning goals, avoid bias, and balance engagement with academic rigor? David and Alina tackle these questions head-on, weaving in real-world examples from Constructor University’s Introduction to Philosophical Ethics course and beyond.

Whether you’re an educator, a student, or simply curious about how stories shape the way we learn, this episode will challenge you to see storytelling not as a teaching accessory—but as the very heart of transformative education.