We all learn something new daily, and, for many, YouTube is an excellent resource. Traditional methods of learning through encyclopedias are out there, but over the last couple of decades, smartphone and computer users have seen the value of the many educational channels and videos on YouTube. We’ll explore some of the ways that YouTube has impacted how people explore new subjects and provide some recommendations of the best channels available.
How People Learn
Do you know what learning style works best for you? According to educators and science, humans have four primary methods by which we learn and remember: hands-on, reading and writing, audio, and visual. Visual learners are considered the most common and may represent as much as 65 percent of the population. According to Bay Atlantic University, the human brain processes visual information well by design, as we process visual information 60,000 times faster than we do text. This fascinating fact tells us that videos are one of the most effective ways to educate most people.
YouTube as an Educational Tool
Since launching in 2005, YouTube has become the largest video platform in the world. Its users search for anything from music videos and football highlights to local news. A Pew Research study indicates that learning something new is another primary motive for why people head to YouTube. For example, many young adults prefer the convenience and visuals of looking up a video about completing a task like changing a tire on a bike. Meanwhile, it is the go-to platform for adults seeking to learn which plants grow best in a certain climate or whether sites like BonusFinder are worth visiting. The possibilities are essentially endless.
Even college and primary school students find great value in YouTube. Helpful video guides can explain complicated subjects like physics and algebra for free, which the students can rewatch and understand on their own time. Students who had to take courses online during the pandemic benefited from teachers uploading course material on YouTube, and the practice has become common for higher education schools that attract students from all over the world with outstanding online resources.
YouTube Is Free
YouTube’s on-demand nature and delivery of information on anything you’d want to learn about are very important, but another consideration that helps YouTube break down barriers is its pricing. Most of the content on YouTube is free, aside from movies you can rent or buy. The entire website platform is driven by advertising, so your videos will be interrupted by commercials, but that’s a small obstacle considering what you can access.
Free information from sources like YouTube can change the world. For many people, watching videos could be a pathway to learning the material required to start a new career. Households with limited income also benefit from only needing a smartphone or computer, potentially at a library, to learn new ideas from their favorite YouTube educational channel. They don’t need to worry about due dates or late fees, either!
Finding the Best YouTube Education Channels
We’ll start by gladly saying that there are many educational videos and channels on YouTube where you can learn about any subject you’d like. While the following suggestions are some of the best of the best, they merely scratch the surface of the excellent content available.
The first one, Khan Academy, focuses on math and science while presenting over 8,000 videos on nearly every genre imaginable, including history. The Khan website site adds to the YouTube experience with a personalized learning dashboard that guides you through subjects instead of wandering through materials to get a complete understanding of a subject.
Meanwhile, AsapSCIENCE provides plenty of in-depth materials on various scientific subjects, from chemistry to physics and biology. Their videos break down complicated ideas well while entertaining kids and adults.
As you might expect, the visuals on National Geographic offer a stunning take on nature and history. You’ll find National Geographic’s mastery of cinematography on full display here. Sit back and enjoy!
You may have heard of TED Talks, which feature captivating lecturers discussing “ideas worth spreading.” TED Talks are now available on YouTube through TED-Ed, with over 2,000 animated videos and lectures on basic subjects, including business and science.
Finally, Crash Course is another example of a YouTube channel dedicated to answering an astonishing range of questions. Adults and kids will find Crash Course helpful through animated presentations, which include everything from bacteria to art explained in a few minutes.
All of the YouTube channels we discussed so far are larger and well-known. YouTube is also an excellent platform for smaller, independent video bloggers to present specific information with their own brand of entertainment. Don’t overlook these kinds of videos, as they are often presented by experts who work in their fields, and they need your support, too!
Conclusion
YouTube provides on-demand videos that many people need to suit their visual learning styles. The website and app are free, which is very helpful in opening the many quality educational channels available on the site that are accessible to everyone. The next time you want to solve a problem or learn about a new subject, you may find that YouTube is an excellent source for gaining a solid education.
