After to speaking to other teachers in the local area it was interesting to note that some schools block digital storytelling sites like YouTube. I realise that there is content on YouTube that perhaps is not suitable or distracting to students, however lets not impinge on their creativity by blocking them.
We are very lucky here at Domremy to have access to most of these types of sites including YouTube. I have used YouTube in my own teaching many times before to compliment an explanation or demonstration of a particular skill or concept.
As a teacher of Textiles, it can be challenging attending to all students' individual project needs in a lesson. At times I have used YouTube as a way of teaching students a skills when I am busy with another student. For example, if they need to know how to chain stitch. I ask them to go to YouTube and search for a demonstration. This also encourages them to become in dependant learners in a diverse learning environment. So you can be in two places at once... kind of.
Listening to podcasts or making vodcasts is another creative way we can engage our students. Whether its encouraging them to listen to an educational podcast or make their own vodcast and upload it to SchoolTube, a wiki or blog. Our students are so familiar with the technology and savvy with its use, why not incorporate their everyday tools in the learning environment.
Interesting to hear you say that you have used you tube to help teach certain skills to students. A friend of mine just told me the other day that she had used you tube to learn how to embroider something for her son. She found the instructions great and the results were great.
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