Shafer: Video in Classroom

I really enjoyed Gregory Shafer's article, "Prime Time Literature in the High School," simply because he discussed the non-technical benefits of utilizing video in the classroom.  While Lund focuses more on the various roles students can take within the group as well as the specifics on what a student can gain from learning the technical uses of film, Shafer addresses what using video means to the language arts classroom.  I loved how he used the quote "Language is a performing art. We learn our first language skills by performing them" (93).  I agree, most student will be able to learn about a novel, writer, poet, etc., through the use of visual and literary learning.  By allowing students to take ownership of a project that is truly created by them is amazing!  I know how frustrating it can be sometimes having to write an analytical paper that is using literature about literature to compose your own idea on an author or literature.  I think Shafer does a great job in pointing out that "Ownership is they key, since much of language instruction places students in the role of subordinate" (96).  It is through a video assignment that most students will be able to show a final project that is in itself their own doing.  They are taking their analysations and still making them their own.  I really look forward to being able to assign a team project like this in the future!