6 Ways To Access @YouTube Videos Even If They’re Blocked at School

October 13, 2014 By: Lisa Nielsen

It’s hard to believe that one of the top tools for learning as recognized by the Center for Learning &Performance Technologies is blocked in many schools today. Fortunately, innovative educators are resilient souls. If they can’t get the learning to their students, the old fashioned way, they’ll find another.
In this case, the tool we’re talking about is YouTube. As pointed out in Edudemic’s 50 Education Tools Every Teacher Should Know About, “Not all schools allow YouTube, but they are missing out as the site contains a wealth of great learning materials for the classroom. There’s even a special education-focused channel just for teachers and students.”

So, what’s an innovative educator to do if their school is one that blocks YouTube?

Here are some ideas to access YouTube videos.

Blendspace (https://www.blendspace.com) – Blendspace is a tool that allows you to blend your classroom with digital content. This includes YouTube videos.  Create a lesson. Embed a YouTube video. Show it o your class.
Clip Converter (http://www.clipconverter.cc) – Clip Converter is a free online media conversion application, which allows you to record, convert and download nearly any audio or video URL to common formats. Currently supported services: YouTube (HQ, HD, 4K), Vimeo and more. This free and fast converter allows you to watch your favorite YouTube videos on your cell phone, PSP, iPhone or nearly any other device.
Keep Tube (http://keep-tube.com) – Keep Tube is the self-proclaimed best YouTube downloader. No software required.
Keep Vid (http://www.keepvid.com) – KeepVid Video Downloader is a free web application that allows you to download videos from sites like YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and more. All you need is the URL of the page that has the video you want to download. Enter it in the textbox and simply click ‘Download’. KeepVid will then fetch download links in all possible formats that the particular site provides.
SafeShare.TV (http://safeshare.tv) – SafeShare.TV bills themselves as the safest way to watch and share YouTube videos.
Unblock YouTube – Share some articles, like the two mentioned earlier in this post that explain that YouTube is one of the top tools for learning. Explain that you want to teach with the top tools and will ensure kids are armed with the how to use online resources responsibly. If you are able to unblock YouTube, make sure you know how to view videos in safety mode.

Have you used any of these tools or ideas?  Which did you like best? Why? What kind of challenges have you experienced?  Have a great lesson with a YouTube Video?  Share in the comments.

Before using these tools consider this:
According to YouTube’s terms of use, you’re not supposed to download unless you see a download link, in order to protect video creators’ rights. However, the fair use clause in the Copyright Law of the United States allows the use of works without permission for teaching. All of this can be a little confusing.  If you are going to download a video, your best bet is to contact the video owner for permission and to site the original link. Not only is it a good practice, it is a great idea to connect yourself and your students with the creator of content.  They might even be willing to join your class via Skype or Google Hangout to share more.
Also note that in some of the resources mentioned above (i.e. Blendspace) you are not downloading the video, but rather showing it in container that is not blocked by schools so that it can be viewed.
Another option is that YouTube now offers Creative Commons-licensed videos, which are safe to use. To find them, enter your  keywords into YouTube’s search bar (i.e. how to make a paper plane) then click on the “Filter & Explore” tab to the far left. In the middle of the drop-down list are the words “creative commons.” Click here and all the videos that appear under your search term will be Creative-Commons licensed.

Lisa Nielsen writes for and speaks to audiences across the globe about learning innovatively and is frequently covered by local and national media for her views on “Passion (not data) Driven Learning,” “Thinking Outside the Ban” to harness the power of technology for learning, and using the power of social media to provide a voice to educators and students. Ms. Nielsen has worked for more than a decade in various capacities to support learning in real and innovative ways that will prepare students for success. In addition to her award-winning blog, The Innovative Educator, Ms. Nielsen’s writing is featured in places such as Huffington Post, Tech & Learning, ISTE Connects, ASCD Wholechild, MindShift, Leading & Learning, The Unplugged Mom, and is the author the book Teaching Generation Text.

Disclaimer: The information shared here is strictly that of the author and does not reflect the opinions or endorsement of her employer.
– See more at: http://www.techlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=67&entryid=8391#sthash.GZHjC3Jq.dpuf