It is one thing for a teacher to describe a
scientific experiment and it is quite another experience to watch it unfold in
front of your very eyes. Teachers are now finding that videos help to improve
the learning experience, helping students to absorb more information as
compared to a teacher only explaining the subject matter verbally.
So, if you are a teacher who plans to make
his or her lectures more engaging, think about incorporating some videos in
your teaching plans. And what better way to do so than to use YouTube? Follow
these tips to ensure the best YouTube learning experience for your students:
1. Check Out The Video Before
You Bring It To Class
This way you can make sure
that the content is entirely classroom appropriate and that your students are
not exposed to unwanted comments. This will also allow you to check for
technical issues, such as video quality.
2. Restrict Your Search To
Reputable Channels
Do not just opt for any
video that you find. Channels such as Khan Academy not only take great care to
ensure the accuracy of the material they upload, but also take great pains to
moderate comments to ensure that no inappropriate material squeezes through.
3. Ensure That You Are Fully
In Control At All Times
When you are teaching a
younger class, it is essential to make sure that your students cannot access
any YouTube that are inappropriate for their age group. Make sure you go
through the settings for
Parental Control before using YouTube in the classroom.
4. Use Quiet Youtube
You can filter out any ads
and comments with Quiet YouTube. First locate the video you wish on YouTube
then simply replace "youtube" in the URL with
"quietyoutube" to view only the video. This is also great for
bypassing the proxy servers, as most of them tend to block URLs with
YouTube.com in them but are not fully equipped to handle “quietyoutube.com”.
This method is used by even academic writers such as those working for academic
firms like Dissertation Corp.
5. Download The Video Using A
Video Download Service
YouTube is a video
streaming website which means that playing any video requires a functional and
reliable Internet connection. When you cannot count on the Internet connection
in the classroom, it is advisable to download the video beforehand so that you
can just play the video offline.
It is always better to
play to video in continuity than to pause it so that it can be buffered.
Disruptions in the video would not only disturb the topic being discussed in
the video but it would also break the concentration and focus of the students.
6. Use A Captioning Tool For
Hearing-Impaired Students
Hearing impaired students
may have difficulty following the subject matter so you can help them out by
using a captioning tool such as CaptionTube to add subtitles to your videos.
This can also help the students who learn better through reading than watching
or listening.
7. Take Advantage Of Youtube
For Education
This is a special channel
dedicated to educational videos, and it offers a very comprehensive system of
categorization that allows you to locate your required video very easily.
8. Ensure Appropriate Privacy
Settings
When you are creating and
uploading your own tutorials, decide whether you want to make them public or
you only want your class to see them. This is especially useful when you are
creating content unique to your class’s specific needs. Learn more about YouTube’s privacy settings
to ensure a smooth and hassle-free lecture.
Most importantly, do not forget to pick out
content that not only serves your purpose but also creates an engaging
experience for your students. After all, your first priority is to bring
something unique to your class.
Author Bio:
Rachelle Scott is a keen blogger who loves
to blog about topics related to tech and education, and the recent developments
in other sectors. When not writing blogs, she workss at a digital education
firm.
