YouTube

I think that YouTube is one of the greatest things to emerge from the Internet. And one of the worst.

I've used it to look at how to do DIY jobs (changing locks, upholstering chairs), examples of interview techniques, and watched lectures. For fun.

I've also wasted hours watching music videos from my youth, and watched loads of people fall over/get punched/dance badly etc.

I suppose it's one of those site's that really demonstrates how people just incorporate technology into their lives, without really thinking. Not too long ago the idea of broadcasting your video was fairly impossible unless you had access to TV equipment (or filmed it and sent it to You've Been Framed). Now you film it (on your phone) and post it for everyone to see in minutes. It has had a real impact on how people experience and share what's happening in the world. Along with video of their cat, dancing.

I think in an educational setting it will be more and more valuable, especially for distance learners. In our Library we have a number of users who have limited access to us due to their working hours/location, so a podcast of our training sessions could be useful.

Definitely something to explore further.