Have you ever had to use online video platforms to help deepen your understanding or to clarify something… I can honestly say that I have used Khan Academy, Ted Talks and Youtube to support and further my learning. The pro’s of theses online surfaces is that they are widely available and if they are being used for educational purposes, one could say that in order for them to be used the child must first be intrinsically motivated as they are choosing to research it more on their own time. They are also useful as they help students learn from various sources. As such, if a student doesn’t understand, they can seek a new explanation.

Pro’s

  • New perspectives / different teaching techniques and experiences
  • Self directed / self paced = promotes intrinsic motivation
  • Student centred
  • Lead to new discoveries / help research ability
  • More 1 on 1 time with the teacher
  • Personal

Cons

  • Not always widely available/ easy to find :lack of ressources
  • Distractions
  • May not be at the proper level, may include subjects not directly related or too advanced for current classroom lessons.
  • Student lacking motivation, may feel lost
  • Personal curriculum design= more planning and specific/ need to know students
  • Some students may require more hands-on and active activities

Here is a Ted Talk by the creator of Khan Academy, Salman Khan and how video is used to reinvent education.