"YouTube draws users into the experience of viewing videos and engaging with the content as commentators and creators, activities that heighten students’ visual literacy — an important skill in today’s electronic culture." - 7 Things You Should Know About YouTube (EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative / September 2006)
As a student, when it comes to giving presentation, I believe in using multiple media sources. YouTube has become one of my favorite web pages to find relevant media, for whatever topic I might be researching at the time. My passion for YouTube will, most definitely, translate into my classroom as an educator.
It is amazing the videos you can find on YouTube: old cartoons,movies, and Television clips; firsthand accounts of war and other unspeakable tragedies; tutorial; and other educational videos. YouTube is a treasure chest of resources for any student engaged in research. Thus, I was utterly amazed and disgusted to find out that in most K-12 schools across the country block YouTube. And to add to my utter dismay, this block was not only a reality for the student but also teacher! YouTube should be made available to students, however, it is unbelievable that school districts can't even trust their teachers! The school districts sensor education professionals the same way they sensor the students. There is no reason that this resource cant not be used by teachers, and by students under the supervision of an education professional.
It is amazing the videos you can find on YouTube: old cartoons,movies, and Television clips; firsthand accounts of war and other unspeakable tragedies; tutorial; and other educational videos. YouTube is a treasure chest of resources for any student engaged in research. Thus, I was utterly amazed and disgusted to find out that in most K-12 schools across the country block YouTube. And to add to my utter dismay, this block was not only a reality for the student but also teacher! YouTube should be made available to students, however, it is unbelievable that school districts can't even trust their teachers! The school districts sensor education professionals the same way they sensor the students. There is no reason that this resource cant not be used by teachers, and by students under the supervision of an education professional.
This site will provide useful links, arguments, and a few alternative cites to help teachers or other persons involve in education to help use and make invaluable resources available in the classroom.
PART I. Articles of Interest
Yes, there are videos on YouTube that could be deemed "inappropriate". But it is shouldn't be about, completely denying our young access because we are scared they will hear a curse word or see a fight. When the truth be known, especially in the secondary classroom: The kids know how to curse, they have most likely seen a naked body, and seen a fight. That is why I believe that it is absolutely atrocious that students are denied this access to YouTube in the classroom. There are so many valuable resources that can be found in the collection of video that YouTube offers and it should be allow; if for nothing else, the teacher. Here are some very persuading articles in favor of using YouTube in the classroom. All these articles investigate both sides of the battlefield but they do ultimately come to the conclusion that with supervision YouTube and other media site are nothing but an asset in the classroom.
Website I: "Youtube in the Classroom." By: Brad Moon
This site is a great first hand account-in the form of a blog-created by Brad Moon. In this entry, Moon comes to terms with his daughter posting her school book report on Youtube. He starts with his concerns about young kids posting video's on the internet, thus, covering the con's. However, he concludes on a more positive note with: "I think I've become the technological equivalent of the parent who won’t let their kids play unsupervised in the fenced back yard at an age when they themselves used to be allowed to wander six blocks to the park as long as they promised to be home before dark."
Actual 4th Grade Book Reports (Maybe Brad Moon's Daughter's class?):
Website II:"The Value of E-Learning with YouTube: Video Sharing for Education: Keeping Students Informed and on the Frontline."
By:Sabah Karimi
Karimi's article explores the various benefits that YouTube and other video sharing sites have, if effectively used in the classroom, whether it be for the teacher to make instructional videos or students creating video projects. However, she does also stress the importance of all video's being teacher approved to make sure the students avoid the dangers found on the internet.
Website III: Using YouTube in the Classroom
By: Brenda Dyck
This is a wonderful blog about how to effectively use YouTube in the classroom. Brenda stresses the importance of the teacher's planning in using YouTube in the classroom. That the teacher can not just bring the kids to the computer and let them surf YouTube, the teacher needs to be apply the video into their lesson plans. Brenda says it best when she states: "The power of YouTube only is activated when the teacher has a clear idea of how a specific video clip can be used to introduce a concept or theme, instigate a discussion, or serve as a writing prompt."
This cite explores the controversy surrounding YouTube. It also provides a lot of links to help teachers use YouTube and YouTube alternatives. One of the most interesting links is EUTube , which is the European Union's webspace on YouTube.
Here is a a sample video of the wonderful education media clips EUTube provides:
Anyone in the educational profession understand the need for flexibility. Teachers have to be ready for everything and adjust quickly to changes within the educational field and, more importantly, the classroom. YouTube provides endless achieves of film, Television clips, and educational video's. Teachers can do the research at home, create a playlist, and use that playlist in the classroom or supply the link for the students to watch video's as homework. Here is what a sample list of playlist on Youtube:
Also with YouTube you can create a playlist that plays directly from your desktop. The custom video player allows teacher to have direct access to the video without having to worry about the various other suggested videos or the profanity that might have been written in the comments below. Teacher can also embed their custom video player directly on their class website for parents and students to watch at home-As seen below. This is a way to limit the video's students watch to only those the teacher suggest. To learn how to embed a custom video player on to your desktop watch the 3rd video: "YouTube Video Playlist Tutorial". The fourth video, shows how to embed a custom video player on a website. The first and second video's are just examples of the copious selection of educational videos that can be found on YouTube
Website V: YouTube in the Classroom!
This article is a sample lesson plan to use in an ELL (English Language Learners) classroom. The most exciting element of this article is that it supplies a link to KeepVid.com. This site allows you to download any YouTube video directly to computer! Meaning you do not need to be connected to the internet to watch the video, this means that teachers can use YouTube in the classroom regardless to the school's internet security setting!
Below is a tutorial video explaining how KeepVid.com works:
Website VI:7 Things You Should Know About YouTube
Back to Top
By: Ecause Learning Initiative
This is a wonderful website that gives an all you need to know background information about YouTube is also provides curriculum based uses for YouTube.
By: Sue Swift
This is another great lesson plan for using YouTube in the classroom. Swift talks about how YouTube can help students improve their diction and vocabulary. This website is just more proof that YouTube is a valuable resource in the classroom.
Part III. Alternative Sources
Surprisingly enough YouTube is not the only video resource online there are others! TeacherTube, Teacher.tv, and Soapbox all of which have videos that could enhance the educational experience in the classroom. All these site are free and the file can be transfered using sites like KeepVid.com to your personal computer, to bet the school security block. I will say that YouTube has the great achieves of video's but when trying to prepare the best lesson possible it is always necessary to explore all your options. Lastly, some of these site, like teacher.tv, also have instructional video for teacher to guide them through new lessons, or lesson they might be struggling with.
Surprisingly enough YouTube is not the only video resource online there are others! TeacherTube, Teacher.tv, and Soapbox all of which have videos that could enhance the educational experience in the classroom. All these site are free and the file can be transfered using sites like KeepVid.com to your personal computer, to bet the school security block. I will say that YouTube has the great achieves of video's but when trying to prepare the best lesson possible it is always necessary to explore all your options. Lastly, some of these site, like teacher.tv, also have instructional video for teacher to guide them through new lessons, or lesson they might be struggling with.
Website IX: TeacherTube: A YouTube for Educators.
This is an article about TeacherTube, which is an alternative to YouTube. TeacherTube is strictly educational video. However, like YouTube, a lot of school districts block access to this site. This site has two major disadvantages; first, does not have the abundant amount of video that YouTube has, or the first hand accounts of tragic events: secondly, it runs a lot slower than YouTube. I would recommends download the videos, or at least, pausing them for a few seconds before playing for students
WebsiteX: Top 31 free alternatives to YouTube
This website provides just what the title says 31 free alternatives to YouTube. The author also gives a one paragraph description of each webpage. So even though YouTube has an seemingly endless supply of videos, these 31 alternatives will broaden a teacher's resources.
Website XI: Free Technology for Teachers: 5 Alternatives to YouTube, #5
By: Richard Byrne
This is a Blog about Media websites alternatives to YouTube that are education related. Also when exploring Richard Byrnes blogs there are lots of exciting educational information and other websites. In this blog he talks about Hula.com this is a media resource site created by NBC, FOX, MGM, Sony Pictures, and Warner Brothers. Below the chart is a sample video form Hula.com
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