Faculty members find educational use in YouTube

Written by Christine Harms

The board of education recently addressed the issue of the filter placed on the website, YouTube. However they had to stall this issue until the next meeting. Although no action was taken, we are faced with an important question – is this filter in the best interest of the student? YouTube has definite applications to the classroom. By banning the use of YouTube in school, the district prohibits us from getting the well-rounded education we deserve. Teachers cannot easily access videos that would be helpful in the classroom. The alternatives, Teacher Tube and School Tube, are limited; buying educational videos is absurd, especially when the material is uploaded elsewhere.

“I can end up spending my entire budget on one educational video,” Ballin said.

YouTube is practical and convenient in the classroom. Having access to it would allow spontaneous teaching and would positively affect students.

“At one point it becomes a trust issue with teachers,” Ballin said.

Even if student use was restricted, FUSD should have enough respect and trust in their teachers’ judgment in the classroom. It is unlikely that the district would even consider granting student access to the site. FUSD receives funding for the technology department with their compliance of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). This legislation states harmful materials must be restricted to minors over the Internet on school computers. There’s a line between protecting students and denying them education that’s rightfully theirs.