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YouTube in the Classroom

**Introduction**
Teachers today have access to technology that past teachers could only have dreamed of. We can access most information at the click of a button and more importantly can give students multiple ways of viewing information. One site that is becoming increasingly popular in classrooms today is YouTube. When most people think about YouTube, they think of watching things like music videos or people making fools of themselves for the enjoyment of others. However, what most people don't realize is that there are videos on YouTube that could be used in an educational setting. This site gives teachers access to a wide range of videos which voice other people’s opinions, interpretations, and general information shown in a visual and sometimes entertaining matter. The question is does this site really have a place in the classroom? While YouTube can be a fun way to view information, is it reliable information? Is it appropriate or are teachers showing videos needlessly?

**Advantages**
A great aspect of using YouTube in the classroom is that it is cheap and easy. If you as the teacher are trying to portray or display a certain aspect then it is very simple to find a video on YouTube to further demonstrate this; it is a very fast way to enhance your lesson. The fact that YouTube is easy to use is a great positive as well. No longer will you as the teacher have to worry about tons of equipment such as computers, videos, microphones, and editing software. YouTube is simply a website that you can visit and find any video imaginable. Because of YouTube’s easy access, one can find almost anything. This is where once again it could greatly add an entertaining and fun element to your class discussion. The students would then be more encouraged to visit YouTube themselves to find videos to help further their knowledge of the subject matter being taught. As the teacher you can show them how to accomplish this and ways in which to determine if the video being shown is educational or not.

Disadvantages
However, while they are definitely positives to using YouTube in the classroom, one also has to be very careful with how it is used. One of the dangers of using YouTube is that many teachers may get in the habit of wanting to use it too often. To show a YouTube video simply for the fact of having one is not a beneficial way to teach a class. If a YouTube video is to be used then it must directly correlate with the lesson being taught. Another problem with using a YouTube video is the fact that the videos found have a section where people can leave comments. These comments are generally unfiltered and can display language not appropriate for children. If a teacher plans on using YouTube then you must diligently look through the entire page and make sure that there are no inappropriate comments. Not only is this an issue but as the teacher you must also decide on the reliability of the video. You do not want to show your students a clip if there is a possibility for it to be false or difficult to prove. You want your material you are presenting to be accurate and educational. This also means that you are responsible for displaying any copyrighted material and having a link to show where you found the video. This may be more work, but it is important to credit those who created it.

While there are a handful of pros and cons to using YouTube in the classroom, it is still a beneficial endeavor. With the ever increasing trend and popularity of technology it is important to find ways in which to incorporate it into our teaching. Not only will the students appreciate the use of modern technology but it will make your job as a teacher much more enjoyable and fun.

Access
With all the advances in technology, a simple example or video is just a click away for teachers. Youtube provides good resources that teachers can use to better explain or show what the lesson is about, if they know how to find them. However, it does have its downfalls with issues of plagiarism, copyright, clarity, quality, and professionalism. Anyone on the World Wide Web is able to post a video to YouTube that anyone else may view freely. This may seem like an easy way to get information but teachers must be aware of the full content of the video as well as any hidden or background meanings. A video may seem harmless at first but then in the middle of viewing, it could really be something else. Teachers must also be aware of plagiarism and copyright laws. Just because it is on YouTube doesn’t mean that the poster followed the copyright laws and rules. In order to avoid getting into trouble with the law, a person is able to use up to 10% of a song or movie and still be clear of the copyright/infringement laws (educationworld.com). So an advanced warning to those who use YouTube, to be careful about what you search and show in the classroom.

Information to Remember
When a teacher decides to show a video to the class it is important to remember what other content will be on the webpage. For example, there are advertisements all over the page. Some of the advertisements could be uncensored, violent, or contain sexual innuendos. On the other hand, they can be harmless and advertise candy or ordinary house cleaner. YouTube’s website is full of millions of videos, you just need to know how to look for one.

How to Search
Searching for a video can be hard for a teacher especially if you want students to discover videos for themselves. Search content is not censored nor is it safe for children to view. Simply typing in “dogs” could get you in big trouble with administration when a child gets an explicit or possibly even a violent video. Searches should be done prior to class by the teacher and if necessary for students to look up videos, I am sure there are alternative places to find videos. Remember the age group you are working with to ensure that they will not see anything they should see on the internet.

** Conclusion **
YouTube is a great resource for teachers to use to stress a point, connect information to previously taught material, or for a multitude of other purposes. Though it is a great tool, teachers must approach it with caution and be sure all material used is appropriate for the classroom. It’s the teacher’s job to search for correct copyright use, potential ads that may pop up, and commentary on the page. If all of these things are investigated properly, YouTube away! If not, the teacher should reconsider the use of a video and come up with another way to make a connection. YouTube is a great resource and will most likely be used for many years to come.