YouTube University, Is that a Thing?

I love education.  Okay, maybe not formal, serious structured - sit in a lecture hall education, but I do love learning.  Each week, Kenny and I take turns and sometimes  back to back bids to provide a weekly blog to accompany our Pop Kulture Kids website.  And as an educator with over 23 years experience, I happily volunteered to talk about this week's topic: YouTube University.  Okay - if you are like us - a baby boomer or gen X-er - you are wondering where exactly is YouTube University - well it’s akin to those fabled places you see advertised on Facebook - it is not a physical campus or building, but the wealth of knowledge available to everyone - for FREE.  Want to learn how to play the guitar? Piano? Flute? Saxophone?  Or play gin rummy, play the dozens or playstation.  From gaming to knitting to podcasting - the world of learning is busted open in the wealth of content available through what has become known in the lexicon as YouTube University.  Sure, YouTube has been a home and haven for gamers, and cat videos and vloggers, but one of its mainstays has been a platform for learning.  With its accessibility - everyone and anyone with an internet connection can access Youtube’s educational content for free and its diversity of content creators offering perspectives from all walks of life - this has become the easiest access point for learning.  Because it is free, convenient and personalized to your learning style, YouTube offers a visual and engaging format that definitely beats the boring lecture hall presentations of a bygone era.

Of course, it does have its drawbacks and limitations.  When you sign up for YouTube University, there is no quality control, so you do take a chance of the education you receive being accurate and just because a content creator has the equipment to shoot a video and a soapbox to stand on - there is not guarantee that the soapbox isn’t a house of cards that could be providing you with false information.  And although some creators find credibility built in thumbs up and subscribers, the YouTube University student will need to be cautious with the curriculum, as there is little to no accreditation for the knowledge gained from Youtube University.  And by the way, since there is no formal structure to what you can and will learn, please don’t expect a diploma once you’ve finished a marathon session of learning.

Even with the good and bad, one thing the pandemic has taught us, is that education and more importantly, learning has to change.  Going virtual was painful for a generation of students.  But what has become more painful is traditional education's failure to learn, grow and adapt to the change in learning as a more visual, interactive and personalized experience.  The community of YouTube and YouTube Learning has become explosive and today’s teachers should take note on how providing visuals, community and the power of this format can ignite the passion of today’s learners.  Will YouTube University become a full-fledged, accredited learning institution… maybe not within the next five years… but never say never.