Labyrinth of Learning 2.0

Thing 19 - Intro to Video Sharing; Explore YouTube and TeacherTube

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I enjoy exploring video sharing sites like YouTube, Google Video and TeacherTube; but I am far from being an addict like many students and adults that I know. I definitely see integration possibilities for using such sites within the classroom environment, provided the content used is in alignment with the curriculum goals and objectives. Too many times I have seen fellow educators showing useless videos and other multimedia content in the classroom as an attempt to integrate technology into the classroom. However, their efforts are misguided and highly ineffective as the content does not do anything to deepen or enhance the learning experience for the students.

One area of caution and concern surrounding these public video-sharing sites is the danger of exposing your students to inappropriate material via the links and previews to additional content available at the end of the selected and viewed video. These links are often completely irrelevant to the video you previously viewed and can expose the students to any number of things that would be deemed inappropriate for school-aged children. It’s much like the “next blog” feature in Blogger, where you have no idea where it’s going to take you. In a way, I guess it’s like playing Russian Roulette.

However, while exploring with YouTube this time, I came across a rather hilarious video about how to bath a cat. Now, if any of you have ever had the experience of trying to actually give a cat a bath you will no doubt be able to relate to the humorous, yet in “oh so true”, depiction of the experience.

“How to Wash a Cat“ posted by BigDAS