YOUTUBE

Of all of the tools I've learned thus far, I think YouTube is the most well-known by everyone. Simply stated, YouTube is a video sharing site. Users can create their own YouTube page, subcribe to others' pages, or just watch videos that are of interest to them.  Being a bit shy in social settings, I really wanted to skip this one and look for other tools that wouldn't reveal me to the world, but to do that would deny myself a great learning experience about one of the most popular sites on the web.

Pedogogical Uses: If my classes are any indicator, instructors can use YouTube to create their own videos to upload and be viewed by their students. They could give lectures, answer questions that students have posted, show tutorials.. there are so many possibilities for allowing your students to access your teaching content when they're not physically in the classroom. I could see this being used by secondary students that may make videos as part of class projects and homework assignments but would not recommend it for younger students, as this site is not as appropriate for all ages as others.

Despite my social anxieties and lack of technology training, I was still able to create and upload a video onto YouTube. Here's my screenshot as proof:

Still don't believe me? I don't blame you, so I even managed to upload my YouTube video to my blog:

I know the video quality isn't the greatest. I was concerned about the file size and probably reduced the resolution more than I needed to when I was working with Windows VideoMaker.  Considering I wasn't too excited about sharing my mug with the world, I'll consider the glass half full that my face isn't shown with the greatest clarity. 

YouTube is easier to find than it is to avoid. The app is on most smartphones and is found on the web at: https://www.youtube.com/ and is free to use..

Why would a teacher want to use YouTube? Aside from containing thousands of videos that could be shared in the classroom, YouTube allows you to upload your own videos. This could be used to introduce lessons, discuss homework, even address work for students that are absent. Teachers do need to be aware that YouTube contains content for all ages and interests. It is important to preview all material intended to be shared. In addition, the screen at the end of the video is often filled with screenshots of recommended videos, and the pictures themselves may not be considered by the teacher to be inapproprite for her/his students.  Because of the sheer volume and variety of content, educators need to be extra careful when sharing.

ISTE Standards for Students

(Click on the link above for descriptions of the following standards this tool can address.)

Creativity and innovation (a. b.) 

Communication and collaboration (a. b. c. d.) 

Research and information fluency (b. c.) 

Digital citizenship (a. b. c. d.) 

Technology operations and concepts (a. b. c. d.)

ISTE Standards for Teachers

(Click on the link above for descriptions of the following standards this tool can address.)

Facilitate and Inspire student learning and creativity (a. b. c. d.) 

Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments (a. b. c.) 

Model digital age work and learning (a. b. d.) 

Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility (a. b. c.) 

Engage in professional growth and leadership (a. b. c. d.)     

Resources:

ISTE standards for Teachers http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-teachers

ISTE Standards for Students http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-students