Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net : Block YouTube and Block Science

Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net : Block YouTube and Block Science:

Miguel Guhlin wrote:
"If you block YouTube, are you blocking science?

Here's another great use of the web. Scientists from Nottingham University have created videos for each element of the periodic table. Each video contains information about the element, as well as an experiment. The videos can be accessed on the Periodic Table of Videos channel on YouTube. These videos are another example of the ways Web 2.0 technology can engage students in a way thatis only now beginning to be fully exploited.

Will School Boards ever consider discussing YouTube, and advocating for student/teacher education rather than just blocking it in schools? Should they have posted these videos in Edublogs.Tv or TeacherTube or Schooltube rather than...YouTube?"

This is a very important topic and it is this second paragraph that is worth particular attention.

Question 1: Education v blocking, we should be doing both. Many education systems are opting for the short term, expedient, technical "block" solution to manage risk to avoid liability. Education is the way to go if we want to be serious about digital citizenship.

Question 2: The answer here, is yes. Why not put them where educators and school students can access them with ease.

Much more understanding about web filter systems (rationale, purpose, role) amongst educators and those who seek to serve the education community is needed.