If you are looking for a good place to learn in the digital world, there is no better option than YouTube — the pioneer video-sharing platform where an estimated 500 hours of content is uploaded every minute.
Yes, the number is astonishing! But so is the tool.
Launched in 2005, YouTube didn’t take much time to shine and gained a substantial amount of users. As the stats say, approximately 1 billion new users visit the website every month. With mass users and millions of videos spanning countless topics, the question arises: is YouTube a good place to learn?
In this article, we will delve into the qualitative aspects of YouTube as an educational tool, look at its advantages, and answer all your related queries about it.
Let’s start our exploration of YouTube as a learning tool!
What is YouTube?
YouTube is a widely known video-sharing platform that allows users to upload, share, and watch content from all around the world.
Owned by Google, the site was officially launched in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. At the time, the platform was receiving million views a day.
YouTube’s popularity has skyrocketed now as it is the second most visited website in the world, following Google Search. It boasts over 2 billion logged-in users monthly.
Whether it is music, sports, entertainment, vlogs, tutorials or documentaries, YouTube has everything for its users. In recent years, YouTube has established itself as a popular platform for informal learning. Many channels on the platform upload educational content across various disciplines for all kinds of learners.
So, some of you might question the platform’s credibility and ask, is YouTube a good place to learn?
Let’s answer this question now.
Is YouTube a Good Place to Learn?
While we can never deny the magic of traditional classes and the power of learning in person, videos can still be a great supplemental resource.
But when it comes to informal learning, YouTube is a treasure trove. When was the last time you visited YouTube to learn something? Probably not long ago, we can bet. Because the website has emerged as a strong tool for learning anything.
Talk about learning a new hobby, understanding complex concepts visually, learning software tricks, or even catching up on missed school lessons; YouTube has everything.
Although most of the users, including us, use YouTube for entertainment. However, we can still accept that the site has some great learning content for all audiences. For self-learners, accessing such an amount of educational content at home is everything they can ask for.
However, the quality of content varies greatly. Since the courses are not accredited, there is no guarantee that the information is updated and that the knowledge comes from a professional or just a random guy.
Yet, YouTube is a valuable supplement for students alongside their education. There are various credible channels on YouTube that upload valid content, benefiting millions of students.
Advantages and Features
Let’s accept we can all count on YouTube when it comes to learning. Just browse through a variety of videos, choose the most credible ones from reputable channels with substantial followers, and learn anything within a couple of minutes.
This is the undeniable advantage of learning on YouTube. It has, like, a sheer variety of educational content available. You can find tutorials, lectures, TED Talks, documentaries, how-to videos, and much more.
Imagine it as an ever-growing, fun classroom that is open 24/. And the best thing is, it is free of charge!
Another significant benefit is the flexibility it offers. You can learn at your own pace, pause, rewind, and rewatch or download videos to watch as many times as you need. When in confusion, students can ask questions from each other in the comments.
This self-paced and interactive learning is what made YouTube a great place to learn.
Does YouTube Help Kids Learn?
YouTube is a great platform to learn for adults. But is it the same for the kids, too? Let’s talk about it.
YouTube can certainly be a valuable learning aid for children, but only when used appropriately. Since the platform hosts a multitude of channels relating to all audiences, parents can be worried that their children might lose the way. They might engage in entertainment rather than learning.
But the global learning platform has solutions for this, too. There are features like YouTube Kids and parental controls that help provide a safe and controlled environment for children. Because of this, parents can have a sigh of relief and let their kids benefit from the treasure trove of YouTube.
With fun and engaging visuals, they can quickly grasp the teachings. The videos can spark the kids’ curiosity and make learning enjoyable for them.
Can I Learn Any Skill from YouTube?
Absolutely, you can learn any skill from YouTube. There is a vast array of playlists with millions of tutorials and guides solely dedicated to teaching new and in-demand skills.
If you are interested in practical skills such as cooking, home repairs, gardening, or basic car maintenance, YouTube can offer you a lot. If you are artistically inclined, YouTube offers lessons on painting, digital art, music, and dance. If you’re tech-savvy, there are countless videos for you to learn and upskill.
Now if you ask if YouTube can help learn soft skills or not? Well, it certainly can. Many experts have created numerous channels dedicated to developing communication skills, leadership qualities, problem-solving strategies, and emotional intelligence.
So, YouTube can indeed be a great place to learn a new skill. Just remember to put the learnings into practice as well.
Does Learning From YouTube Count As Self-taught?
Yes, learning from YouTube does count as being self-taught. When you use YouTube as a learning tool, you are on your own, taking the initiative to learn. This shows a high degree of self-discipline, motivation, and resourcefulness in you that benefits you more and more.
You have the freedom to choose what you learn, how you learn, or when you learn.
Although, you might not get a formal certification, the knowledge and skills learned definitely benefit you and make you valuable in life.
Conclusion: Is YouTube a Good Place to Learn?
So, let’s end our exploration of YouTube as a learning tool here and give a straight answer to, Is YouTube a good place to learn?
The answer is Yes. YouTube is definitely a great place for all kinds of learners. Whether adults, kids, or even the old, every age person can find videos to learn on YouTube. Thanks to YouTube and the educational channels on it, learning has become easier than ever.
So, if you have your exams coming up, or just preparing yourself for professional life, don’t forget to visit YouTube!
Related: YouTube as a Learning Tool | Pros & Cons for Education