Excellent educational content can be found on YouTube. However, not every teacher can access YouTube in his or her classroom. That’s why a few years ago I compiled a big list of alternatives to YouTube. Over the years some of those sites have shut-down, started charging a fee, or have switched into another market. So this evening I went through and eliminated some sites from the list and added a few new ones. My favorite five alternatives to YouTube are listed below. You can see the complete list here. If you have a suggestion for an alternative to YouTube, please let me know.
1. Next Vista is a nonprofit,
advertising-free video sharing site run by Google Certified Teacher
Rushton Hurley. Next Vista has three video categories. The Light Bulbs category is for videos that teach you how to do something and or provides an explanation of a topic. The Global Views video category contains videos created to promote understanding of cultures around the world. The Seeing Service video category highlights the work of people who are working to make a difference in the lives of others. Watch this interview I did with Rushton to learn more about Next Vista.
2. PBS Video offers videos from the most popular shows including Frontline, NOVA, Nature, and American Experience. For the younger crowd, PBS Kids
offers videos as well. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, but
you think PBS has an appropriate video you can search the PBS Video
center by topic.
3. Explore.org produces and hosts
high-quality documentary films and photographs. The films and images
focus on exploring the world and the work of non-profit organizations
around the world. The films and images are organized by location and by
charitable and or environmental cause. Explore.org is funded in part by
the Annenburg Foundation.
4. The National Film Board of Canada offers many excellent videos that appeal to a broad audience.
5. One of the first things you’ll notice about Vimeo is the image quality of the videos. The image and sound quality of the videos on Vimeo is far superior to many of those found on YouTube. Vimeo has all of the sharing options found on YouTube, but in a much cleaner and easier to use interface.
