Value of YouTube and TeacherTube

As a teacher, I have become more and more aware of the liability that is placed upon teachers when he/she chooses to use YouTube and TeacherTube in the classroom. As with any resource, previewing, determining implications from use, and then more previewing must be in effect in order to assure that what K – 12 students are seeing and hearing are beneficial academically and appropriate in every way. In many districts, protocol is to have all videos approved by a committee in order to make sure the videos are appropriate and to alleviate some of the guesswork for teachers who may, or may not recognize the line between appropriate and inappropriate. As with any resource used within the classroom, care must be taken to assure appropriateness for the audience.

The use of technology within the classroom is a hot topic on many fronts. From schools, which no longer allow students or teachers to have access to the internet, to schools that all students and teachers to “Bring You Own Technology” and everything in between. Teachers, students, and parents are sometimes split on whether there is a need for more or less technology. Anderson (2007), refers to the lack of student motivation once they become used to having technology readily available in the school setting and it is no longer a novice idea. I have seen just the opposite. By allowing students to use technology, many times at a rate much more expertly than teachers, students become more excited about their learning and are willing to take more risks in assignments.

As a teacher, I do not know how I would plan, prepare, and implement lessons without the use of online videos such as those found in YouTube and Google. Recently, my work experience has been with faculty and staff at various schools. There are many available resources to inspire and inform that are appropriate for all age groups. One of my favorite videos is that of Dalton Sherman, a 10 year old student speaking to the faculty and staff at the Dallas School District Convocation 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAMLOnSNwzA. This video is inspiring and uplifting. It reminds me of why I teach and who is depending on me. By using this video in presentations, I am able to illicit many different feelings in teachers and give them a student’s view of educators.

I have never used TeacherTube in a presentation; however, I recently found the above listed YouTube also listed as a TeacherTube. I did not realize it was crosslisted. Having spent time looking at various videos, I think that I will be more inclined to go to it first rather than to YouTube. It is filled with numerous videos that can be used in most in content areas.

Just as with any resource, YouTube and TeacherTube must be used appropriately and must be previewed prior to use. It is one way I can take my students to various places, allow them to meet different people, and help them to see the world in a new way even if that world is just a state away. The lack of resources available to invite in speakers, take field trips, and in general see the world, gives rise to the use of more and more technology. Additionally, with knowledge increasing at such an incredible rate, I am able to use videos to keep myself and my students up to date, or more up to date, on content knowledge. My vote is for technology in the classroom, including YouTube and Teacher Tube.

Anderson, P. (2007). What is Web 2.0? Ideas, technologies and implications for education. JISC

Technology & Standards Watch. Retrieved from http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/techwatch/tsw0701b.pdf.

DallasSchoolsTV. (2008, August 22). Dalton Sherman. Retrieved February 25, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com

/watch?v=HAMLOnSNwzA.