thing 21: YouTube and More

This weekend I registered to get a TeacherTube account. I don't like it as much as YouTube.

I really like to use YouTube for the World Religion Unit that I teach. The kids especially enjoy a clip that I show them from "Ripley's Believe It or Not" of a Hindu Rat Temple. They squirm in their seats when they see the hundres of rats running everywhere. Fascinating stuff. I tried to find this clip on TeacherTube and had no luck.

I certainly think that YouTube can have some wonderful academic applications if carefully monitored. I always make sure I have the video cued up and ready to go before I turn on my LCD projector. I don't want my students to catch any of the most popular and currently being viewed videos that show up on the screen while searching for a video.

I also think there is merit in using it as an entertainment tool. I showed one of my classes my favorite clip called "Charlie Bit my Finger Again". It is adorable! My students and I enjoyed a good laugh and experienced a moment of bonding:)