What are the most effective ways to improve your skills in Educational Technology using YouTube?

2 Find credible and quality sources

YouTube is a platform that hosts millions of videos on various topics, including edtech. However, not all videos are created equal, and it’s important to find credible and quality sources that offer reliable and relevant information and guidance. To evaluate YouTube sources, consider the qualifications and reputation of the video creator, the purpose and audience of the video, the currency and accuracy of the video, as well as the production and presentation of the video. You should look for videos produced by experts or reputable organizations in the field that match your learning goals and needs. Additionally, make sure that videos are up-to-date and reflect the latest trends in edtech, as well as have clear audio, video, and editing quality.

3 Follow a learning plan

If you have located credible and quality YouTube sources for your edtech learning goals, it is important to craft a learning plan to organize and optimize your learning process. A learning plan is a structured and systematic way of planning, implementing, and evaluating your learning activities and outcomes. It can help you set SMART objectives, select suitable learning strategies and methods, schedule regular and consistent learning sessions, as well as monitor and assess your learning outcomes. For instance, you can create a certain amount of time per day or per week to watch and review YouTube videos on edtech topics, or use self-assessment tools such as quizzes, tests, or portfolios to check your understanding and performance.

4 Connect with other learners and experts

Learning edtech skills from YouTube does not have to be a solitary and passive activity. You can also connect with other learners and experts who share your interest and passion for edtech, which can help to expand your knowledge, motivate you, improve your communication skills, and keep you updated on the latest trends. To do this, you can subscribe to channels and playlists that offer relevant content on edtech topics, comment on videos and participate in discussions with other viewers and creators, join live streams and webinars with edtech experts, and follow links to other platforms that offer more learning opportunities.

5 Apply your learning to practice

The ultimate goal of learning edtech skills from YouTube is to apply your learning to practice. Whether you want to improve your teaching, learning, or professional development, you need to transfer your knowledge and skills from YouTube to your real-world context. Applying your learning to practice can help consolidate and deepen your understanding, evaluate and reflect on your progress, improve and innovate your practice, and share and showcase it. There are many ways to do this, such as creating and delivering online courses or modules, completing and submitting online assignments or projects, joining and contributing to online communities or networks, and creating and uploading YouTube videos that demonstrate your edtech skills.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?