Karen Roof
June 23, 2003

Article Critique #2

The article I selected for this critique is titled "Lights! (Digital) Camera!  Action!," by Walter Minkel.  The article is located in the Library School Journal Online.

    In Walter Minkel's article "Lights! (Digital) Camera!  Action!" the author introduces digital video as a popular new educational tool in middle school classrooms.  A significant medium for project-based learning, digital video involves either video recorded directly onto digital video tape, or VHS footage brought into a computer in digital format via a video conversion card.  This new trend in technology currently is used by students in middle schools in Beaverton and Whitford, Oregon, to support live student broadcasts during morning announcements and to develop video yearbooks.  According to Minkel, digital video is easy to edit, and is compatible with most computers; the author recommends Macintosh computers combined with Canon digital cameras. 

I found the article to be very informative in its presentation of digital video as a significant tool in education.  The author provides a clear description of the technology, and makes very good recommendations in terms of what equipment to purchase.  I feel that digital video provides students with innovative means of learning, including certain hands-on projects that allow students to exercise their creative and to incorporate technology into their various subject areas. 

Work cited

Minkel, Walter.  (2003, June, 1)  "Lights!  (Digital) Camera!  Action!"  Library
     School Journal Online.  Retrieved June, 20, 2003 from
     http://slj.reviewsnews.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA300746.