Reflections on 10 Years Using YouTube for Learning and Teaching

YouTube has become a crucial part of learning and teaching since it was purchased by Google in November 2006. Videos on almost any subject can be found: from learning about Pythagoras's theorem, to setting up a satellite dish,... [ view full abstract ]

YouTube has become a crucial part of learning and teaching since it was purchased by Google in November 2006. Videos on almost any subject can be found: from learning about Pythagoras's theorem, to setting up a satellite dish, to figuring out how to draw a pie chart in Excel, to learning a new language. YouTube has become a "go to" place for learners - many of who prefer to use YouTube for learning instead of attending a class. The vast library of educational content that YouTube has become is very often a "first-stop shop" for learners, who have become adept at finding the content they need. For educators, YouTube as a resource poses different challenges. Many educators will use YouTube as a resource by pointing students to videos such as a poet reading his/her own poem, or to a scientist showing how an experiment works. Many other educators create their own content based on classroom material and publish to YouTube.

For 10 years the author has been using YouTube to create content in subject areas such as Statistics, Project Management, and Business Analysis, to augment classroom content. In this presentation he will reflect on his own experiences, and those of over 9,500,000 learners, on learning and teaching with YouTube. Analytics on views, audience retention, and levels of engagement, plus the findings of a student survey on the use of the author's videos in classes, will be presented. The message from the survey is clear - students want more video, and they value and appreciate video that helps them to learn.