So with educational videos there are basically two choices: YouTube; or a paid service. Most people go the YouTube route because it’s free and there’s the always the dream of going viral. But, of course the reality is the Google promise: “If you’re not paying for it, you’re the product.” So therein lies the rub. What does one do?
The compromise I use is when it comes to kids we use my company’s streaming server and we pay for it. That way there is no advertising and we ensure not data is collected. When it’s adults, I’m OK with using YouTube. Each person can make their own choice.
So below I have two channels. One for my book with co-author Sandra Mirabelli called Fail-Safe Strategies for Science and Literacy which has a video for each of our 25 science activities. A second channel for instructional and PD videos produced by my company Edvantage Interactive.
Fail-Safe Channel
Edvantage Interactive Channel
And if you’ve gotten this far, then perhaps you have another minute for an idea. I mentioned earlier that if something is free, you are the product. I’m pretty sure everyone can agree that every time we accept cookie settings, we’re being tracked. Fair enough. We were warned! But in school I don’t think that is fair. I believe that during school hours any revenue generating click (including the first sponsored link on a search) that is made within the geoboundaries of the school should go to the school. Currently the money goes to some global tech-giant profiting from child labor. Let’s at least help fund our schools by their efforts during school time.