Youtube:for & against essay

 In the last years,technology is more and more involved in our educational system.Teachers seem to be more willing to join it to their daily lessons. In this way, apps and websites expand the possibilities to enhance the learning process and one of the most popular is Youtube, which has as many benefits as downsides.

  Firstly,it is necessary to point out that Youtube is one of the greatest resources to download and share information. Here it is possible to find a wide range of videos. For this reason, it is a fantastic tool for teaching with the help of films, documentaries, songs and tutorials that could be shown to students.Videos can be added to the lessons with the intention of introducing new topics or supporting explanations. For instance, in lessons like History or a foreign language, students seem to be more involved in the topics because teachers show them videos about historical episodes in the first case, or they listen to popular songs in the language they are learning. In the same way, the great variety of videos allow teachers to look for what they consider the best option according to the topic. It is organized in different categories of contents, offering users facilities in research and selection. It is also a free website,which means that is accessible for everybody. Besides,it presents special channels for teachers such as “Teachers” and ”Ted-Ed”,where they may be able to do more specific research or to look for activities.

 Even though Youtube may seem an amazing and unique tool,its incorporation in the classroom sometimes brings a number of issues to consider. One of the main disadvantages is that Internet connection is necessary. This fact could bring important complications to show videos in those places where the WiFi access is not good enough, or simply it is non-existent.This situation makes teachers download the videos beforehand,which occasionally are failed, so it is impossible to watch them in a right way. Another drawback of this website is the inappropriate content.The fact is that anybody can advertise a product or a film in the website, making it inaccurate for underage students, especially in the classroom. These commercials can be omitted after ten seconds, and if they show an advertisement about alcoholic drinks, explicit and violent films or series, and models with sensual clothes, teachers could not avoid it. Another negative aspect of this site is the validity of the information. YouTube not only consists of valid and helpful information, but also baseless and unhelpful one. In most cases,students do not know whether the data is true or not, so, it is extremely important that teachers show them how to look for information and select it.

 Taking everything into account,there is no doubt that YouTube is a great way to make students explore and learn things visually,but along with that, responsibility in its use has to be taken into account. It clearly offers an incredible opportunity to make innovative classes, considering what learners like these days, and what helps them learn better. It can be said it is teacher´s obligation to show them the proper way to use this website.

-Canecín,Milagros

-Cardozo,Verónica