While I know
that in a real life situation, getting a quick answer can be recovered from
almost any Google search, I tell students that when writing academically or for
professional purpose, backing for their information and ideas should be found
from multiple sites not just from the first site that pops up when using a
search engine. With that said I will
allow my students to use Wikipedia as long as they can back up their
information from multiple reliable sources and sites.
As for Youtube, I use
Youtube all the time in my classroom. Although these videos can be posted by
anyone, I do my research before selecting a video to use for lecture or for
student use. Since I am already aware of the topic that is being covered, I am
able to select what video is the most beneficial to the lesson or tool being
covered. In the end, as long as the source is representing information in the
proper way and with a reliable standing, its use in the classroom is a valued
source of information. 
I do the same thing with Wikipedia and Youtube. YouTube is a great way to give the students a visual. Obviously as teachers we have to look at what we are going to show before we show the video.
ReplyDeleteYes I also allow students to use Youtube videos on their own post. I do filter the videos before they are allow to be posted to make sure for accuracy and appropriateness. As we all know student will try to get away with as much as you will allow them to.
DeleteI use wikipedia and youtube in the same manner as well. I obviously also preview the videos in their entirety, and as long as the information presented is appropriate I never hesitate to use youtube to introduce or further explain a topic. The students love watching the short clips, and they are engaged and on-task whenever I have included them in my lessons.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post again I realized that you mentioned that you allow your students to use youtube in their posts. I think I missed that originally, my fault. Have you had much trouble with students trying to use things that were not appropriate? It seems like monitoring their blogs/wikis, etc could be a full time job!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have 1 or 2 students who tried to sneak things on, but other than that I have had very little issues. This is done with Juniors and Seniors, so many times they patrol and handle the posting appropriately. For this, we use a class blog/discussion board. This allows everything to be in one area and I also give them specific prompts to respond to. I do have content controls that allow me to approve multimedia to be posted. This allows me the opportunity to review items before the rest of the class.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing to do is to look at the poster of the YouTube video. That is, click on his/her name and see what other videos s/he posts. Further, if they provide a name, Google the name. Is it a teacher, professor, hobbyist, etc.?
ReplyDelete