Two Million Minutes Documentary Analysis

2 Million Minutes

Video Analysis

Who is sending this message and what is the author’s purpose?
Although I did not find a definite source of monetary support for the documentary, I do believe the author of this particular video appear to be Bob Compton.  There appear to also be other individuals who also had a part in the development of this documentary.  The author’s purpose of developing this documentary seems to be one that  compares American education with those of China and India.  Particularly focusing on the lack of educational focus in the United States compared to the other countries.   

What techniques are used to attract and hold attention?
The author of this documentary utilized a variety of techniques to attract and hold the attention of the audience.  First, the idea that the information is presented through this media rather than an article or print format speaks volumes to me.  Acknowledging that as a society, we (generally speaking) are more inclined to take in new information in this format.  Within the documentary, the author included staggering statistics to enforce the point of this video.  Additionally, the author utilized actual students and families to film this documentary.  This most certainly held my attention in the fact that these individuals were not actors.  Instead, their stories were real therefore bringing the points of this issue into focus.  The aspect of being able to “relate” to another individual definitely contributes to the attention factor.

What lifestyles, values, and points of view are represented in this message?
The one element that stood out to me throughout the documentary in regards to the message conveyed through values especially is that all of the families involved in the making of this documentary deemed education as important.  I believe that this is one of the factors that also contributed to emphasizing the overall point of the video.  Education, with all of those involved, was important.  Although education is important to each of the participants, there was also a great deal of focus in regards to how participants spend their time when they are not in school.  This is one area that I found to be “tough to swallow”.  I certainly believe that an education is critical to success in life.  However, I was one of those students who also had a social life growing up.  I feel that I better learned to optimize my time with all of the events that I was involved in.  Just because I had other interests other than school does not make me any less of a student or as an individual.  This was the one way in which I felt the documentary was making the point that as Americans, we do not utilize our time “wisely” when compared to other students in different countries.  Along with this aspect, I found it to be quite interesting that even though the American students did not devote as much time to their studies as the other students, these students were still able to get into the school of their choice.  Again, I recognize and believe in a strong education for all students; however, I found myself wondering how frustrating it must be for the students from other countries to spend all of their time studying only to be denied access to a school of their choice.  I can relate specifically with this through experiences I have had with exchange students from various locations all around the world.  Typically, before each of them left to return home, a common comment regarding their return to the US to complete some education.  These students were nearly all amazed at the free time they were given when compared to their native country.  I had never really contemplated that thought much until watching this video.  Now I have a better understanding of maybe why these comments were made by these young adults.  

How might different people interpret this message differently?
Interpretations of this documentary could vary greatly depending on the audience.  As noted previously, families involved in the making of this video deem education as an important component of a successful life.  Generally speaking, each of us taking this class would also agree with that.  However, I do wonder how parents who do not value education would perceive the message in the video.  Would this change their way of thinking to want more for their children than what they had?  Could this documentary help parents understand the importance of an education?  I believe that truly the impact of this video would be dependent on the emphasis placed on education in the home.  What is important in one household may have no value whatsoever in another.  Does that make any of us any less of a person?  Especially from my professional background as a special education teacher.  I found myself wondering how some of the parents would interpret this video.  I have many parents who value education.  These parents assist their child on their educational journey.  However, some of these students have low cognitive skills.  What would the perception of this documentary be for those students?  “Success” can be measured in so many different ways. 

What is omitted from this message?
The one thing that I would very much like to see is a follow up with the participants in the documentary.  How did the students change once they entered the next level?  How did parents’ expectations or views change?  What happened to students in the other countries who, despite their efforts, were denied the opportunity to continue in their school of choice?  How many of these students considered coming to the United States?  Overall, the documentary provided some very thought-provoking points that made me consider aspects of the American educational system that I had not considered.