Why Use YouTube in the Classroom? Teachers who use instructional video report that their students retain more information, understand concepts more rapidly and are more enthusiastic about what they are learning. With video as one component in a thoughtful lesson plan, students often make new connections between curriculum topics, and discover links between these topics and the world outside the classroom. - NTTI When available, YouTube is an incredible learning resource for teachers and students. I use video in many of our AP Environmental Science Activites. When used well, I believe: Videos connect students to people and places outside of our classroom. Videos help students connect concepts from our textbook. They often serve as great examples of key vocabulary in the real world. Videos make great hooks for lessons and activities. They are often great discussion starters. Videos can be inspirational and motivational for students and teachers. Videos support learner-centered activities. Students don't need to wait for me to tell them something. Videos can be used to support differentiated learning. Let students have some choice of which videos they will use to engage in the learning experience. Videos can lead to exploration of additional key concepts. Who hasn't fallen down the YouTube Rabbit Hole? I frequently embed videos and video links in my HyperDocs, but recently I decided to do something a little different. I've created two HyperDocs that focus on students collaboratively exploring a set of videos connected to a particular theme. Students watch each video, discuss, and collaborate on a shared slide deck. Exploring Water Resources Exploring Sustainable Agriculture We've only completed the Water Resources Activity, but I believe it was a positive experience for my students. While many of them initially wanted to divide and conquer, most felt it was a better experience when they each watched a video (small group or individually) and then discussed and recapped what they learned before moving to the next video. I am looking forward to engaging in the Sustainable Agriculture Activity next. Take a look and let me know what you think? "Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can - there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did." Sarah Caldwell