Criteria used in the selection of video media for classroom instruction

Growing public concern of the use of videos and video media in class instruction (as witnessed by myself, a high school teacher) encouraged me to undertake an examination of the professional literature related to the use and misuse of video media in instruction and particularly in social studies. My capstone is an opportunity to identify criteria based on research that can be used by high school teachers when deciding whether or not to use video media. Five criteria were identified in the literature: perspective, presentation format, duration, bias and authority, and reason for use. These criteria were used to analyze 5 media samples that were part of a unit on World War II. My analysis and student input allowed me to reflect on my original decision to include these video media in my curriculum