When one listens to YouTube in developing countries, one’s perception leads one into the realm of entertainment. It is quite natural for someone to consider YouTube as a gigantic source for watching free entertaining videos. During my parent-teacher meeting conducted for the high school students when I was telling them about using YouTube as an educational resource for their kids. Everyone was amazed.
I’m from Pakistan and I’ve been a college computer teacher for 14 years. Like other developing countries, we, the majority of us, are far behind in the race to use information technology in our children’s education. Most parents discourage their children from using the Internet in classrooms in schools and early colleges due to lack of awareness. Although we do have some colorful computer and tech child stars. The late Arfa Karim (computer scientist), Syed Sumail Hassan (Pakistani eGamer) and Rafay Baloch (ethical hacker) are just a few of them. Their parents pumped up their kids and didn’t stop them from using digital media as a source for their education and they positively provided the best services. Therefore, raising the awareness of teachers, parents and students to use digital technologies in the learning process can increase their performance and bring many more excellences.
1. YouTube as an educational resource
As mentioned in the beginning, YouTube is nothing more than a collection of videos of varying quality showing the latest internet craze, painful looking accidents, music videos and entertainment videos. This is really a misunderstanding and underestimation of this real potential of YouTube which I consider to be the best, free and cheapest educational resource. From how-to videos to expert TED lecture videos, this time YouTube is the number one educational resource for Pakistan and other developing countries.
The raw stats about videos watched on YouTube are amazing. With over 100 hours of content uploaded every minute, people in 61 countries around the world are reaching out and more than 10 billion hours are viewed per month. The stats about learning videos are so healthy that more than 400 million people around the world are creating a new learning course. A growing number of free educational channels such as thenewboston and theITeducation give anyone, anywhere access to a vast collection of almost any topical video education could need. This is happy and joyful news for the people in developed countries and especially in developing countries as people in developing countries like Pakistan might not have sufficient budgets.
Schools and universities integrate free video platforms like YouTube into their lessons. Sessions are created either by content developers or by the teacher/lecturer themselves using a webcam and easy-to-learn software and uploaded to YouTube. The link is then embedded on the course website for students to view if required. These videos can be public or private.
2. Educational mobile apps
Mobile phones have now evolved into smartphones and have now become part of the daily lives of parents, teachers and students. This new technology could also be used as an educational tool with modern, simple and versatile educational apps. Mobile apps like Edmodo, Khan Academy offer collaborative, interactive and planned learning on character tips. These advanced gadgets are used in classrooms to integrate the books, tests and quizzes. It motivates students through ‘study study’ from vocabulary learning to literacy skills and builds on extensive knowledge. Global researchers have found that younger people are using smartphones with a focus on iPhone, iTouch apps and widely used by iBook Textbook. This has strengthened the skills of scientific research with content development and active and productive learning. It has rightly been called ‘learning with technology’, which has generated enthusiasm for learning with increased confidence, pride in one’s abilities and hope for a spectacular future.
3. University Virtual TVs
Educational technology is the application of scientific knowledge about learning and learning conditions to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching and training. TV is one of the most widely used devices for educational technology. It plays an important role in making the learning and teaching process interesting, objective and scientific. It brings a noticeable change in the behavior of students and teachers. The world’s first virtual university was established in Pakistan in 2000. The Virtual University of Pakistan launched its own four television channels. All lectures on various topics are broadcast on these channels, which are broadcast across the country via the cable television network. It is mandated by the government. Pakistan’s for every cable TV operator to broadcast these channels. All devices are made available to these operators free of charge. Unfortunately, the students do not take advantage of this opportunity. All lectures are recorded by PhD professors which are free to air and free to view for all. Parents, students and teachers need to tell their students to seek help from these television networks.
Thanks to Habibullah Qamar | #Top #Free #Digital #Media #Education #Pakistan
