My feelings are mixed on YouTube. The content provided is so widespread when you search for something, it is somewhat difficult to figure out what is worth viewing or not. And unfortunately, sometimes you are too far into a video to realize it is really inappropriate. I think this is a tool that teachers definitely have to monitor/find the video ahead of time to make sure they are getting what they want.
As of right now, YouTube is permitted at our school (to teachers anyway). When you do find the material you are looking for, it can be very helpful. Last year some of our 6th grade students did a version of Dorothy following the Yellow Brick Road in the Wizard of Oz, that was presented to our incoming 5th graders during orientation. Some of the kids weren't really grasping what their character were supposed to be portraying, so I went to YouTube and looked up examples of other people/kids playing the parts. It was pretty neat to be able to just have the kids come in my office for a few minutes to view a video of someone acting out the Tinman or Lion instead of trying to explain it myself, take them to some live performance, or dig out the video.
I was not aware of TeacherTube and SchoolTube, so I am really glad I got a chance to explore those sites. I think I will have better luck finding appropriate material on those sites. If used in an appropriate way, I think YouTube could have a lot of value in the classroom. I think it is pretty amazing that I can simply type in a video I would like to see and it is there at my fingertips. It might take a little searching to find just what you want, but most of the time, it is out there!
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