It’s very peculiar to go to youtube - everything seems to be there! Legally or not legally, you can find tons of stuff to watch, some of it will definitely be of poor quality, and some of it simply inappropriate if you think of school use.
Now, it does to a huge degree represent what people - with a computer, web access, and a web cam - can do, will do, won’t do, and how they put it together in front if a little camera that opens them to the world with very mixed messages, and often out of context.
There is a professional presentation by Michael Wesch on the YouTube community; wish I could give you a link, but he uses some authentic language that I am afraid to offer to students. But if you go to Will Richardson’s blog (link provided) then you will be able to view his presentation, which is very deep, very positive, very interesting, and very moving. I cried in the end - because it’s not just silliness and a waste of time, some people heal by joining this community, and learn to live in this world - not to be labeled “losers who have nothing better to do”.
Check it out - you will never think of YouTube - or a similar community - the way you think of it now. It’s simply amazing.
Anyway, just felt strongly about it. It’s worth every minute you spend on it.
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