Abstract:

In the following paper, we will share our experience using video as a teaching aid, at the same time we will discuss the way students can produce and upload videos to the site. Many teachers download YouTube videos at home to bring them to school and show their students. We want to share our experience using the site and a learning centered approach. Since the origin of Internet (back to the 1960s), Science, Education, Commercialization and socialization have changed dramatically. As of 2009, an estimated quarter of Earth's population uses the services of the Internet. So we could say that there is no boundaries, no limits to get to know the different cultures in the world, and here relays the relevance of the following presentation, not only for university students but for the rest of the world, Internet is the perfect path to promote the intercultural relationships, and to facilitate autonomy in learning. Under that idea and after analyzing all the possibilities to promote significant learning among these and the future generations, we found in YouTube an excellent site to do that, full of public sources to be used as teaching aids. The domain name “YouTube.com” was started on February 15, 2005. During the summer of 2006, YouTube was one of the fastest growing websites on the web and was ranked the 5th most popular website on Alexa. The website averages nearly 20 million visitors per month, according to Nielsen/NetRatings. It is well known that over 100 million video clips are viewed daily on YouTube, with an additional 65,000 new videos uploaded every 24 hours. About the users, where around 44% are female, 56% male, and the 12- to 17-year-old age group is dominant. According to the website Hitwise.com, YouTube commands up to 64% of the UK online video market. Just Imagine the potential of all those videos! YouTube and other video clip sites have become very popular - especially with young adults. These sites also provide English learners and classes with a new tool to improve listening skills. The real advantage to these sites - at least from a language learning point of view - is that they offer authentic examples of everyday English used by everyday people. Of course, this is the challenge as well. Students may enjoy watching these clips, but poor sound quality, pronunciation and slang can make these short videos even more difficult to understand. On the other hand, students are attracted to the "real life" nature of these videos. By creating context for these short videos you can help your students explore a world of online English learning possibilities.

Keywords:

Significant Learning, Teaching Strategies, ICT.