Using On-line Video in the Classroom

On-line video is becoming a very popular asset to the classroom. I think that using video in the classroom provides a great opportunity for educators to get their students engaged and involved in what they are learning. Although technology is a wonderful asset to have in the classroom, it can also be tricky.

One of the biggest problems that teachers could face when using on-line video in the classroom is finding appropriate material that is accessible to the children without them being exposed to video that is inappropriate. I have done some research on the pros and cons of technology online and it takes a lot of time on the teacher's part to make sure that the sites being used are safe and secure.

One of the cons to using technology in the classroom, according to , is that "Some students will explore beyond the bounds and parameters of the project and become distracted by other activities that they find on the internet." As educators it is our responsibility to find the right materials online to incorporate into our lessons and find sites that are "kid-friendly". According to, , finding materials that are appropriate is an easy task. They recommend teachers should, "Limit your searches to respected sources. Most established newspapers, museums, libraries, radio stations, and institutions have specific channels on YouTube where they collect their content. Just search by the name of the outlet on YouTube (say, PBS), and that organization's channel will pop up. From there, you can search exclusively within PBS's content."

Although there are some disadvantages to using technology in the classroom, I think that there are far more advantages. Technology is a huge part of our modern day society and children are being exposed to it every day. Using video in the classroom is a great way to generate excitement about learning.