Web Video For the Classroom

In just a couple of years, YouTube has revolutionized the Internet. We believe that YouTube is rich with educational material. The Arte Historia Channel is just one example; it is a Spanish-language channel devoted to art history, Spanish history, and Spanish language learning.

Alas, many schools block YouTube due to fears about inappropriate content and bandwidth restrictions. Here, we'll offer a few alternatives.

• TeacherTube is a video site designed especially for teachers and students. Jonathan Wang from Woodland Junior High demonstrates the potential of TeacherTube. See if Jonathan doesn't teach you something about parabolas.
  
• There are some subscription-based video sites for teachers as well. United Streaming, which is affiliated with The Discovery Channel, is perhaps the best. Here's an example of a United Streaming video about the Black Death.
  
• YouTube was just the beginning of online video. Television stations, radio networks, and even newspapers and magazines are incorporating free video feeds into their websites. Check out the options on PBS.org, for example.
• Here's a funny video about fractions.