YouTube-Is it for the classroom?

YouTube-Is it for the classroom?

     YouTube is a media tool that permits people to view videos on just about any topic. This device also allows you to upload videos that you create. So this new media poses several questions for me: What are the benefits in the classroom and why is it denied access at some schools?

     One benefit of YouTube is its engagement factor. The videos are entertaining. Teachers may use them to begin class with to stimulate their students’ writing Bell ringers. In presenting new material to a class, videos are one way to capture the students’ attention. The sound and graphics are appealing to the viewer. YouTube provides videos with these qualities Top 10 Videos. Engaging the students in the lesson through videos is one benefit of YouTube.

     Another benefit from YouTube is its informational aspect. Seeing how new machinery runs Informational or how to create a blog, these videos provide visual information. The best part of this visual information is the ability to stop and replay a segment if needed. What a great tool to use in the classroom when illustrating key points with your students about the Periodic table as an example. The videos are generally short and can be worked in as part of your lesson easily.

     So why do schools deny access to this media if there are many benefits for the classroom? One answer is because some of the videos are inappropriate. If schools did not have filters on to block this site, students could access videos that may contain explicit language and content. YouTube also has many useless videos for the classroom. Teaching standards is part of an educator’s job. Some of these videos do not provide educational material and are not appropriate for the classroom. The other concern for YouTube is previewing the material before it is shown in class. Schools do have the power to override the block on YouTube, but if the teacher does not plan accordingly, what looks like an appropriate video with the content the teacher desires to show may in fact backfire on her. An example of this was when an Ag teacher wanted to show information concerning mammary glands and the video displayed a woman’s breast. The link was appropriate as women do have mammary glands, but it was not the desired outcome the teacher wanted.

     YouTube is a viable option for the classroom. Planning and preparation on the teacher’s part would make this a terrific media tool to use for engaging students in the lesson and providing information in an appealing way. Filters at schools can be overridden, but the educator needs to be prepared with the content of the video shown. Check out YouTube to see what it offers for your classroom.

Key words:  YouTube, classroom use, benefits, school access

References:

John Deere Round Baler 990-960. (n.d.).  Retrieved from
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBj7Z2PlXLk

MacManus, R. (2011).  Top 10 YouTube Videos of All Time.  Retrived from
     http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/top_10_youtube_videos_of_all_time.php

Piper, J. (2011).  Writing is Immortality-YouTube Videos as Writing Prompts.  Retrieved from
     http://msjessicareeves.edublogs.org/2011/08/04/youtube-videos-as-writing-prompts/

The Element Song. (n.d.).  Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFIvXVMbII0