YouTube as a resource
YouTube is invaluable as a resource for teachers as it provides video share from around the world. Specific to psychology YouTube is invaluable as it provides teachers with access to a range of experiments. It provides a visual dimension to the content. We argue as teacher that we should create a rich learner centred environment for students; YouTube is one way to enhance this. Perhaps it may be said that the best way to teach psychology may be through recreation of the experiments by students. This is easier said than done due to ethical considerations that need to take place. Many of the founding experiments in psychology, and perhaps the most notorious experiments would break ethical practice. Did Watson create long term harm for little Albert and condition him to be afraid of non-threatening situations for life? Is Harlow’s act to isolate rhesus monkey to investigate attachment humane? Is it ok to deceive your subjects as did Milgram? It would be difficult getting much past research replicated due to the ethical boundaries that were blurred or crossed in these experiments. Studies are available at the touch of a button; students can view classical experiments in their raw form and as such provide the wow factor that may not come across in the text. Additionally some of the text may be complex on paper but quite understandable when in vision. Berk (2009) suggests that video can add value to the students memories of the content. Developing on this Berk (2009) further suggests that video appeals to both the linguistic and spatial learning capacities of a person and thus creating an ideal learning environment. As for YouTube as a tool, video clips are traditionally short and thus would not be time consuming in class time to demonstrate, leaving more time for discussion. In addition YouTube provides content material that is likely to be accessible from the student’s home. Of course the use of YouTube does not equate to good teaching, however it provides an avenue to engage students. YouTube is a useful complement to a sound pedagogical approach.
Bandura - Bobo Doll experiment - http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=jWsxfoJEwQQ
Milgram – Obedience - http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=y6GxIuljT3w
Harlow - Attachment - http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=MmbbfisRiwA
Watson – Conditioning - http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=Xt0ucxOrPQE
Gibson – Perception - http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=1VPaBcT1KdY
Attention - http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4
Dangers of YouTube
Many schools block you tube for students out of danger of students coming across inappropriate content. As such for the use of YouTube in the classroom, users beware. Teachers should always view the content before playing the video for students. In addition in regards to school blockers teachers must be aware of the access at school. Something you may be able to view at home may come under complication in the classroom. A handy tip is that websites such as Zamzar allows users to convert YouTube clips so that they can be saved onto a computer legally (Jones & Cutbrell 2011).
YouTube does create great benefit in the classroom but teachers should be aware of the potential dangers and conflicting ideals. To become a member of YouTube and to upload video one needs to be 13 year old. Accounts are suspended if children are found to incorrectly state their age. In addition any inappropriate content can be lead to an account suspension. The guidelines for inappropriate content can be found at YouTube’s Community Guidelines and flag the video links. With this being said one can watch YouTube without logging in however this content should be safe for viewing by all ages. With internet safety and cyber-bullying also a concern for students, parents and teachers, harassment claims can also be made if a person believes that their privacy may have been violated or that they are being harassed. For more information seek the YouTube links for the Safety Center, Help & Safety Tool or Community Guidelines. For cyber safety information for schools the Australian government has developed a cybersmart schools gateway
