Thing # 20

Goofy-Teachers as People
    I selected the above YouTube video that really captures the essence of what we need from teachers. Sure, it may poke a little fun, but it is an accurate assessment of some of the qualities such as patience, wisdom, and tolerance that we desperately need in teachers today. Besides, who doesn't love Goofy?
    YouTube is a great tool for anyone, including teachers. You can find video of events and experiments around the world. I think with careful screening, teachers can use this site to show the students things that they may never see or experience in their lifetime. I have often searched the site for advice on a project or craft. I have even taken classes where the instruction is posted on YouTube. It is a take anywhere, find anything tool. It expands the classroom to the world and includes anyone willing to view the video.
     The negative of YouTube can be said of many online tools. You have to sift through the garbage to find the gems. Fortunately, the gems are often invaluable pieces of information. One of the features of the site is that videos can be viewed by everyone or a select group by the use of a password. This could allow interaction between the teacher and student or the class as a group.