week of the course; such as behavioral theory, motivation, cognitive information processing, sociocultural theory, and instructional design. Where did we go for such videos? In the past, such courses relied on personal movie libraries or the audio-visual department to check out videos, films, etc. In the twenty-first century times have definitely changed. Now any instructor can search YouTube, Google, or TeacherTube videos (see Appendix A) as well as other resources for current videos that might help students understand course concepts.
Using YouTube
YouTube videos were not available just a couple of years ago yet they are now pervasive in higher education. In a recent survey research project of over 1,000 participants, I have found that short videos of 1-4 minutes are ideal. Not surprisingly, those that are humorous, informative, current, interesting, and engaging are preferred by learners. While most people do not create or comment on YouTube videos, the majority of students have watched and shared them. Such viewing tends to take place at night; typically, between 6 pm and midnight. Clearly, YouTube technology is something in which students in higher education settings in the United States are highly familiar. It is a tool of the culture. And it is one that instructors from K-12 to higher education to corporate training need to begin experimenting with in their classes.
There are more educational videos available online than we first imagined. For the week on behaviorism, my students found documentaries on B. F. Skinner’s life (see Appendix B). In addition, there was also one on operant conditioning wherein a rat performs a series of tasks to obtain a reward. While such information can personalize learning and make ideas come to life for students, humorous videos related to behavioral concepts are also powerful. For instance, in the popular sitcom, The Office, there is a YouTube video wherein Jim gives Dwight a mint every time a computer reboots and eventually Dwight holds out his hand for a mint when he hears the sound. Behaviorism is a discipline with many complex terms and principles which often confuse and overwhelm students (e.g., negative reinforcement, unconditioned stimulus, satiation, contingency contracting, etc.). Timely use of online video content related to any of these concepts can help students grasp more of the concepts and arouse interest in learning other aspects of the theory or framework.