Thing 9

There is much to like about YouTube. The sheer quantity of available videos is incredible. Using the search function, I typed in "music education" and the result was around 14,400 videos. Many of the top listed videos were videos created by teachers and others who are advocating for music in the schools, the benefits of music education, etc. There are promotional videos for music groups, and even music instruction videos ("Learn to Play the Piano in Just Two Hours!") There many instances where these sorts of videos would be useful in a classroom or professional setting.

Another common video I found was the student or parent who posts a video of their school performance (music, drama, etc.)  This is the group that concerns me, as these videos are illegal. Their usefulness related to teaching and learning is clear - student performance improves when they are given the opportunity to hear a performance of themselves/their group - but it should be done in the classroom, using the legal, archival copy of the performance that the teacher is allowed to create. My concern expands beyond the student and parent - the district is liable for these copyright infringements, and we should be taking steps to avoid this sort of activity.

YouTube is restricted in our district - I believe that most administrators are able to use the stie, some teachers have "found a way" (I think that means you bake cookies for the building tech. . . ), but student access is definitely blocked. I understand it, but don't like it. I don't like the bubble wrap philosophy of education - the one that "protects" students from all things that are "bad." I'd rather see the schools teaching responsible internet usage and how to sift through all of the garbage that is out there.