YouTube and TeacherTube

YouTube and TeacherTube have a wide variety of video resources that can be accessed and viewed freely. These sites are widely known and are being used by multiple community groups, organisations and individuals from politics and professionals, to high school student’s producing fifteen minutes of fame and the individual DIY, Do It Yourself videos. These websites provide such a diverse range of resources for everyone that it creates a professional “online community for sharing instructional videos” (TeacherTube, 2009). As a Learning Manager this tool can be a great time saving, engaging and curriculum supportive resource. But when it comes to using any sort of technology in the classroom potential problems and risks may arise. I have noticed when viewing clips through these sites, even on a high speed broad band connection, the ‘buffing’ time is considerably time consuming. No matter how good the clip maybe, if my learners were to spend time waiting, behavioural problems, frustration and disinterests would result in unreceptive learners. Downloading clips through KeepVid onto a computer is one of the most effective and quickest means of storing and viewing such resources. The learners are also protected against any unwanted screens popping or advertising strips in YouTube.

In grade one at the moment we are learning about ecosystems. The other day I came across a TeacherTube for “Aquatic Ecosystems” (Study Jams, 2009), but after spending a very long and frustrating time waiting for the clip to load, I decided to give the KeepVid recorder a try and eventually was successful in downloading it. The only problem with KeepVid is it will only download 80% of the clip unless I upgrade by paying. I was still able to see most of it to indicate whether or not it was usable in my classroom. I will try a few other downloadable programs to see if I can download the whole clip without putting a whole in my pocket. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to comment.

“Aquatic Ecosystems” (Study Jams, 2009) is an engaging realistic and relevant film that teaches the learners very simple and easy to understand concepts to the more detailed terminology and facts. It might be more suited to grade two or three, but for an introductory lesson, this film would help me as a Learning Manager scaffold the learners understanding of the simple concepts of ecosystems. I am continually looking for resources on this awesome site, TeacherTube, if anyone has found suitable resources that might support a grade one class studying ecosystems your contributions and expertise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Until my next learning experience

Kind Regards

Lizzy

Reference List

Study Jams. (2009). Aquatic Ecosystems. Accessed August 15, 2009, from: http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=52218&title=Aquatic_Ecosystems_by_StudyJams&vpkey=&album_id=

TeacherTube. (2009). About Us. Accessed August 15, 2009, from: http://www.teachertube.com/staticPage.php?pg=about