Sh0w and T3ll

Youtube! The New Sensation November 30, 2009

Watching the video “An Anthropological Introduction to YouTube” really opened my eyes to Youtube.  The presentation starts with the statistics that there are over 9,232 hours of video uploaded everyday, which is about 200,000 3 minute videos.  When looking at the length of some of the videos on Youtube, that number is unimaginable. Here is the video to watch for your viewing pleasure, which, oddly enough, was found on Youtube as well.

Although Youtube is a growing sensation, and the newest way for anyone to upload anything they find interesting, not everyone may be familiar with Youtube.  This is why I’ll start with a brief introduction of “What is Youtube?”

Youtube is a place for anyone to upload anything they want, no producers, formal or casual.  This means Youtube contains a large variety of videos that range from a proud parent showing off their baby, to a teenager expressing their feelings, and even wanna be singers and dancers.  Are you looking for a video? Clip of show or movie? Music videos? People making fun of music videos? Yup, it can all be found at www.youtube.com

Youtube is a way to express your own personal creative talent through both visual and auditory.  Any one search term can come up with millions of results, and you can literally search for anything.

It is interesting to see the way Youtube has been incorporated into the classroom learning environment.  “An Anthropological Introduction to YouTube” says Youtube is all about new forms of community, expression and identity emerging, with 88% of their content being new and original. With all of the possibilities, it seems obvious that teachers would express new content through Youtube so students can relate.  Also, students can now incorporate Youtube videos into their presentation to add to their projects.  Many students now, including myself, say “What would we do without Youtube?”

It is also interesting how “An Anthropological Introduction to YouTube” looks at students making their first vlogs.  It is a spin on blogs that is a little awkward at first, but with practice can be a valuable teaching tool.  Students were nervous about how to wear their hair or what they should say, but as they got more comfortable in front of the camera, it allowed the audience to have a name and voice associated with the words.

This is a vlog of me reading my blog.  It was a one take kind of deal, and you see that by how I stumble on some of my words and even get interrupted by my cell phone going off.  However, now you can see this post read two ways, and you can decide for yourself what you like better?