Free Online Video Resources for Teachers and Students

After listening to the podcast by Wesley Fryer, I liked the ideas that he has brought forth with using video sharing for teachers. I liked the comment about, "blending learning opportunities with face to face interactions in order to create richer educational opportunities." The online video resources all seem to provide another alternative to enrich our students. I also liked the fact that students could feel empowered in their learning. In the podcast, it was mentioned that students could learn in their home environment and not feel the pressure of feeling, "stupid." As a teacher and a parent, I like the resources provided in video sharing, in order to provide information at home that may not be remember from class. It also provides another way to review the material along with the text.

Next Vista seemed to be relevant and provided educational content that could be pertinent and helpful to many teachers. I think it would be easy to use and the five minute videos would provide a quick resource to many students. The "Global Views" helped students to make connections and feel empathy for learners all over the world. Their personal stories would help students to learn and understand other cultures and world events.

Although I liked Next Vista I don't feel like I could use it in my classroom, yet. There were very few videos that were pertinent to my curriculum. I think in the future with the addition of more videos it could be an excellent resource.

YouTube, Clip Blast, and TeacherTube could be used in my classroom! Many solos and concert performances are able for viewing on these sites and could be used to show my students different performers all over the world. In my curriculum, students need to listen to recordings of solos they are playing. There are many good performances of solos my students are playing.

The negative of these sites is the other content that may come up in finding the pertinent videos. Some videos are inappropriate and these sites are often blocked by schools. I feel though, that these could be excellent resources for my classroom, if monitored and used properly.