YouTube becomes learning tool | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

It's known as a hub for funny or shocking videos, but now YouTube could soon be the new go-to place for teaching metaphors and economics strategies as tertiary institutions give students the option of making videos instead of writing essays.

This year, a Waikato University senior economics lecturer tackled a poor assignment submission rate by allowing his students to submit a video via YouTube.

The assignment previously had a submission rate of about 75 per cent, but with the introduction of video last semester, almost 100 per cent of students completed it.

But Bay of Plenty tertiary teachers spoken to by this newspaper are not so keen to see the traditional essay axed.

Dr Nigel Calder, from the University of Waikato at Tauranga, said mediums must be carefully considered, and there will always be a situation where the essay is most suitable.

"If YouTube fits the purpose of the assignment then it has definite potential".

Dr Bev Norsworthy, dean of teacher education at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute, welcomes the use of digital mediums - as long as they are managed.


Dr Norsworthy said people who choose to make videos are still required to submit a critical reflective piece to capture the theory learned.

"We use [digital mediums] as part of our learning approach carefully, otherwise it's just entertainment. It can be very influential if it is carefully crafted.

Bay of Plenty Polytech online learning adviser Julie Carle said digital alternatives to essays are invaluable to students, especially when they create the material themselves.


She was not aware of polytech students uploading assignments to YouTube, but knew students had submitted videos they had made with the iMovie programme.

Dr Norsworthy said as technology moves forward, universities are printing "less and less paper copy" to make way for online student portals. "We have to keep growing with what is available to us, and think of the most appropriate way to collect information."

Almost all readings at BTI are now online. They go up as the course rolls out, the disadvantage being students can't print readings ahead of time. The polytech puts learning resources in digital format all the time, but won't stop printing paper until all students have access to broadband.