The Internet has provided its fair share of solutions to existing communication and accessibility problems, while often creating more problems in the process. The various applications for its use have certainly been a boon for the education sector. But this has become even clearer during the global pandemic.

With many students opting to stay at home in isolation rather than risk infection, online education has seen an all-time high in popularity. Many learners have openly embraced numerous internet-based education solutions.

Because there are many school-centric applications available for almost anyone to use, it may come as a surprise to learn that one of the Internet’s longest-running social media platforms has risen above all else in online education and learning.

If all of this sounds intriguing to you as an educator and you are interested in what other educators have to say, be sure to visit Pedagogue to get connected now.

How Has YouTube Dominated Online Learning?

The extraneous circumstances surrounding the early stages of the global coronavirus pandemic (during the March-April period) forced many students and teachers alike into lockdown, subsequently requiring both groups to adapt to a sudden shift in the schooling landscape.

While many teachers immediately sought out internet-based educational applications for solutions, students also took it upon themselves to find their own. This produced a surge in users across various learning platforms. 

However, while the lockdown has proven to be great for such websites and applications, it was long-running internet mainstay YouTube that quickly asserted itself as dominant above all other learning applications.

In the midst of the global chaos, the time students invested in the application doubled, and then some. In contrast, an estimated 84% of the other applications they used were educational. This has proven to be both a gift and a curse for teachers and learners alike.

The Benefits of YouTube for Learning

YouTube is an entirely free service that anyone with both an Internet connection and free YouTube account can access and peruse at their leisure. This means that many people are granted the same opportunities as others, and the site and its users provide a plethora of resources at one’s disposal. 

The Downsides of YouTube and Learning

Of course, not everything on YouTube – as opposed to Google Classroom and various other edtech applications – is strictly educational. Therefore, it is all too easy for some students to become more distracted than ever. 

For teachers, this also means that many of their students will be spending more time on YouTube instead of completing their assignments.

Other Popular Online Education Resources

Besides YouTube, numerous other applications and sites have seen an influx of users. Here is a short list of some of the most popular:

• Clever.com
• Zoom.us
• Khanacademy.org
• Instructure.com
• Flipgrid.com
• Classlink.com
• Ixl.com
• Quizlet.com
• Edpuzzle.com

Concluding Thoughts

YouTube has proven to be a double-edged sword in regards to online education. However, a healthy balance of time spent on the app and applying the things one learns will be more beneficial for students.
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