About YouTube:

YouTube is a video sharing website that makes it easy to watch online videos. You can even create and upload your own videos to share with others. YouTube has its headquarter in California. YouTube service was created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005. At present, Google is its parent organization.

Advantages of using YouTube:

• It is an excellent platform for using in the classroom and sharing videos with friends and family globally.
• There are videos for all ages.
• It is free.
• You can find videos of almost any aspect of life for entertainment, education or just building your creative skills.
•  It is easy to share with others.
• If internet access is limited, the videos can be downloaded unto the device for later use.
• YouTube videos can be linked in e-mails, embedded in programs and presentations or used in other apps such as twitter and Facebook.

Disadvantages of using YouTube:

• It is public therefore anyone can upload a video. So, teachers need to view the video from start to finish before showing to the class to ensure it is appropriate.

YouTube in the Classroom:

• Students can be more engaged through visually-stimulating videos
• Presentations and lessons can be shared globally
• Students can upload their own videos to demonstrate understanding
• Students are able to reply to each other in real time
• Videos can enhance lessons for almost all subjects especially in topics that are difficult to retain
• Teachers can spend more time focusing on students and less time explaining complex topics example “Flipping the Classroom” method
• Teachers have a library of free information to help explain about almost any topic.

Reasons for using YouTube can be viewed from the following: