Friday, November 16, 2007

E-learning Via YouTube

E-learning Via YouTube


Just as blogging and other social software’s the YouTube phenomenon is casing a revolution amongst the web users. E-learning organizations especially are following YouTube with amazement and a certain amount of enchantment. YouTube's hundreds of thousands of video clips reveal many educational videos, from popular How To guides to K12 teacher groups focused on recorded lessons and instructional videos.


What is YouTube


YouTube is a video-sharing service that lets users upload files to YouTube servers, where they are available online. With the exception of content that is offensive or illegal, videos can be animations, footage of public events, personal recordings of friends—practically anything can be posted. YouTube ties into several popular blogging applications, giving users a quick way to blog about a particular video and include a link to it. Users can view profiles of individuals who have posted or commented on videos, see their favorite videos, and contact them.


YouTube is absolutely free, though people who want to post videos or comments must register with the site, creating a profile. Videos include tags, a category, and a brief description and can be public or restricted to members of specified contact lists. Several tools allow viewers to sort through videos to locate those of interest.


YouTube and E-learning


Watching and sharing videos, combined with the fact that the site is free, opens the experience of online video to a wide range of users. YouTube is finding a foothold in academics as well as in corporate trainings.


Many organizations are beginning to realize the power of Web audio and video to get their messages across to customers, members, investors, and employees. This includes training classes, executive speeches, product demonstrations, video news releases, shareholder meetings, and coverage of corporate events.


This social networking tool further engages users, drawing them in to an environment that encourages them to meet new people, read and share opinions, and be part of a community.


YouTube also draws users into the experience of viewing videos and engaging with the content as commentators and creators, activities that heighten students’ visual literacy.


Many educators believe that the act of creating content, in virtually any form is a valuable learning exercise, helping develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter and the tools used to create that content. It has the potential to expose students to new insights and skills, as well as link them to various online communities.


YouTube facilitates creation such as;



  • making content available

  • opportunities for experimentation with new media

  • opportunities for creative self-expression

  • engaging with content as creators and commentators

  • replacing passive learning with active participation

  • interactive sharing of ideas and opinions

  • heightening visual literacy


YouTube videos enrich lessons and bring lessons to students who are home sick, and capture the learner’s imaginations.


Conclusion



While YouTube huge library of videos isn't always educational, a smart usage can have a positive impact on the learners.