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A podcast is a fantastic opportunity to market your business, grow an audience, and earn revenue. They're such a powerful tool that has ascended in popularity, moving from just 11% of the US population ever having listened to a podcast in 2006, to 57% in 2021.

That's why every Kajabi membership comes with the ability to host and syndicate a podcast to the top audio streaming services, all from within the Kajabi dashboard!

Watch this video or read this blog post for a walkthrough of how to set up a new podcast in Kajabi.
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Download our free guide - How to set your podcast up for success

Creating your podcast on Kajabi

Kajabi podcasts allow you to distribute your podcast to Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Once you're ready to build your podcast in Kajabi, you'll navigate to Podcasts under the Product section.

Step one is to choose which type of podcast. There are public and private podcasts. We'll start with 'public podcast'.

In step two, you'll add in the name of the podcast, who hosts it, and a description. This is what gets sent to the actual RSS feed that then ends up on Google, Apple and Spotify.

You'll also upload your podcast image. Everything in the podcast industry is based on album art in a square format or a one-to-one ratio. We recommend a 3000 by 3000 pixel file. These are big images but they can end up on big desktop screens, so for brand awareness, we suggest the highest pixel density image that you can get. Once that's uploaded, you're going to click continue.

In step three, you'll add the public owner email and the language. The public owner email is used to verify ownership of the podcast and it's the address that will show up on podcast directories. As for language options, there are dozens of languages supported across different podcast platforms.

Then you must select at least one podcast category but you can choose up to three if you'd like. Finally, you'll decide whether you want to list your episodes from newest to oldest or oldest to newest split up by season. If you upload your episodes individually on a set schedule, you may want to choose episodic, from newest to oldest, so listeners can easily access the latest episode.

After that, you can click "create podcast," and just like that, Kajabi will generate it!

From there, you'll see the podcast overview with more customization options, such as preventing downloads, marking content as explicit, and page customization options as well.

Uploading and publishing podcast episodes

Now you're ready to create your first episode. You'll enter an episode title and type - either an episode, bonus, or trailer. You can add it to a season if you wish. You'll also create a detailed description that will be visible on your page and the various listening apps. Then you're ready to upload your episode. The maximum file size is 250 megabytes and we support a .mp3 format.

After you've uploaded the episode, you'll still need to take action to schedule it. Just click back into the episode, where you can make any additional adjustments, like adding in a transcript, And when you're ready to schedule, on the right hand side, click 'schedule' and select the day and time from the calendar. Also keep in mind the time zone defaults to whichever one you're in.

After you've published, you can go back into the episode to copy the link which will direct the visitor to where the episode is hosted on your web page.

Podcast syndication

For public podcasts, you'll need to syndicate the podcast with the directories, or listening services. So from the podcast page where you can see the list of episodes, click "distribution".

Each directory has their own process to approve and list each incoming podcast. We have information and links that you can access by clicking "learn how."

For example, with Apple Podcasts, you'll need to create or sign into an Apple Podcasts Connect account. We provide the podcast's RSS feed URL at the top with a copy button so that you can easily copy and paste it into the field when you provide it for each service. When they approve, the directories will give you a URL that you paste into the field. Then the podcast will connect and become available to listeners on those platforms.

Private podcasts

Kajabi also allows you to offer a premium podcast, which you can directly monetize and sell with Offers in Kajabi. To create one, you can go back to the Create Podcast setup menu and select Private Podcast.

Just like with public podcasts, you'll need to add a title, description, and thumbnail image, then you'll choose the language, category, and episode order. Where it differs is that instead of distributing the podcast to listening services, you'll use Kajabi Offers to grant listeners access to the podcast.

You can attach the private podcast to any of your existing Offer. Or, you can create a new offer, choose the private podcast as the product, and select a price. You can edit this information like you would for any other offer on Kajabi.

For Private Podcasts, in the Podcast overview page, you can see how many subscribers you have, and that it's tagged as Private.

You'll upload episodes the same way that you would with a Public podcast.

Private podcasts are locked behind the login portal for your customers who have purchased it. You can also choose to grant the Offer to an existing customers. When you do that, it generates a specific RSS feed URL with an authorization token just for that customer. That way, they can still access your private podcast via one of the listening services. You can gate the content but still let your customers enjoy the content within their preferred podcast directory.

Podcast Analytics

What's great about podcasts in Kajabi is that you'll also get podcast analytics built right in. You can choose to look at data points for the full podcast or individual episodes.

To view the full podcast analytics, click the analytics button from the podcast overview. To check out how an individual episode is performing, click into it from your list of episodes, then click the analytics button. You can see the number of downloads, the apps used to access the podcast, the devices, device operating system, and the countries where your listeners are located.

You'll also see your top 10 episodes by downloads and links to get more data from each listening service.

Getting started with Kajabi

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Now you've seen how simple Kajabi makes it to create, host and distribute a profitable podcast.

Beyond giving you the ability to easily create and manage your podcast, Kajabi includes the tools and services you need to take it a step further and build a thriving online business ... all in one place.

Kajabi provides a website builder with customizable themes, hosting for video and audio courses, assessments, a membership community, email marketing, contact management, automations, analytics, and much more. It's a comprehensive suite of tools to help you manage your knowledge commerce business. It's also easier and usually less expensive than stringing multiple other tools together.

Ready to get started? Redeem your free 14-day trial today.

The guide to starting a successful podcast for your business
How to make your podcasts, videos, and audio courses sound better
Download our free guide - How to set your podcast up for success

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A podcast is a fantastic opportunity to market your business, grow an audience, and earn revenue. They're such a powerful tool that has ascended in popularity, moving from just 11% of the US population ever having listened to a podcast in 2006, to 57% in 2021.

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Student centered for project use

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How to Start Podcasting with Students using Soundtrap

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Benefits & Tips to Making Podcasts with Students

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Benefits & Tips to Making Podcasts with Students

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Last week, I shared why student podcasting is a great idea. Podcasting is a powerful way for students to share their voice with the world. Along the way, they learn to communicate, engage in critical thinking, and go through the design process as they ultimately publish their work to an authentic audience.

I believe podcasting can work in any subject area. So, this week, I want to explore what that looks like.

If you enjoy this blog but you'd like to listen to it on the go, just click on the audio below or subscribe via iTunes/Apple Podcasts (ideal for iOS users) or Google Play and Stitcher (ideal for Android users).

https://spencerauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Podcast-2.mp3

The following are ideas for podcasts you can do with your students. Some of these are podcasts my students created and others are ideas I have yet to test out.

#1: Curiositycast

Grades: 3-12

Description: Students begin by asking a key question they are curious about. They can then do research and come back and compare their answers in a discussion-oriented podcast. For a more advanced version, they can interview an expert using YouTube On Air, download the video, and strip the audio using a program like iMovie.

You can do this within a Wonder Day project as well, where students walk through the entire inquiry process and then share their answers through a podcast:
Subscribe to YouTube Channel
#2: Book Review

Grades: 3-12

Description: Students can write out a script for an engaging book review and then read it into their smartphone. They can review the plot, setting, conflict, theme, pacing, etc. Then, they can give it a rating and discuss what type of reader they would recommend it for. It's simple but highly engaging. Another variation is to do an ongoing literature circle podcast, where they run it like an audio book club (which would work well at the secondary level).

You can also take a more creative approach and have students do creative prompts connected to the book. Students might interview a character. Here, one student takes on the role of the interviewer and the other student takes the role of a character in the story in a Q&A style podcast. They can then swap roles and ask questions to another character. Students can produce their own news stories based on the novel that they have read. They can include descriptions and interviews with multiple characters. It works best if they can find sound effects as well. This option takes more time but allows students to be fully immersed in the world of their novels.

If you want a creative twist, you could use a prompt like this:

Subscribe to YouTube Channel
Or they might do a TEDx-style talk where they pretend to be a character and they share what they have learned through the story. In other words, you might have Molly Weasley talk about death and knitting or Katniss could share what she knows about bowhunting and art.

#3: Learning Journeys

Grades: 2-12

Description: The teacher creates a set of reflective questions for students to use as they document their learning in an audio diary. They simply press record and share their thoughts in a stream of consciousness style. This works well in tandem with something like a design thinking project. I love this quote from Austin Kleon:

Here, students document what project they are working on and tell the story in the format of a narrative and reflection.

#4: Narrative-Style

Grades: 5-12

Description: Students can engage in narrative-based podcasts by interviewing people and narrating the interview in a podcast style similar to something like This American Life. This one requires additional time and resources for editing. You'll need to provide tutorials and perhaps even direct instruction to walk students through the process. However, it can be a great way to make current events relevant and help students make sense out of informational texts.

#5: Historical Fiction

Grades: 4-8

Descriptions: Students can take on the role of people in another time period and create their own audio diaries, news stories, or question-and-answer shows. This can be simple and barely edited or it can be complex and highly edited.

#6: Random History Podcasts

Grades: 6-12

Description: We did this as a one-week unit in a way that was similar to the 50 items that shaped the modern economy. Here, students had to find random objects and tell the history of that particular object. It was fascinating! We tied this to the standards on historical methods and research processes.

#7: Genius Hour Podcasts

Grades: 4-12

Description: Genius Hour (or 20% Time) projects begin with a simple idea: give students a dedicated period of time to pursue their passions, interests, and questions in a creative way.
Subscribe to YouTube Channel
Genius Hour podcasts allow students to share what they are learning in the form of an interest-driven podcast.

#8: Debate

Grades: 5-12

Description: The teacher begins by assigning students a specific debate topic. Then, students have to do research to find facts that back up their key points. The first two students take opposing views while the third student researches key facts to build background knowledge and to create the questions for moderating the debate. Finally, all three students record their podcast. This is a great chance to help students learn argumentation and see things from multiple perspectives.

#9: News Show

Grades: 9-12

Description: I've written before that I think journalism is one of the most important subjects for the future. Here, students learn how to think critically about information by learning how to compose their own news. It's a chance to learn critical research skills, media literacy, and digital citizenship, all while hitting the standards.

It's a chance to walk through the 5 C's of Critical research:
Subscribe to YouTube Channel
#10: Expert Interviews

Grades: 4-12

Description: Students find guests that they want to interview and then do in-depth interviews. They might be interviewing an author, an engineer, or a scientist. The interviews can be a YouTube On Air interview that they then download and strip the audio on a program like iMovie. This option often requires extra planning and teacher support.

#11: Philosophy Chats

Grades: 7-12

Description: Students sit in small groups of 3-4 and engage in a Socratic Seminar discussion of some philosophical area connected to the subject. The following questions are examples of driving questions: What makes us different than computers? Will we ever become cyborgs? What is more important: freedom or safety? What is the point of school? What are the limits of science?

#12: Math in Real Life

Grades: 5-8

Description: Students are challenged to find real-life applications for the math they are using. They can then describe their findings in a small group podcast. As an extension, students might interview people who actually use math in their professions. This can work well with statistics and research, if you're teaching a more advanced math class.

#13: Test It

Grades: 6-12

Description: Students begin with a myth or urban legend. They describe what it is and what they plan to test scientifically. They then work through the scientific method, documenting each part in their podcast and describing what is occurring. Finally, they end with their conclusion and discuss potential applications of their conclusions. It's a bit like a scaled-down version of MythBusters.

#14: Community Interviews

Grades: 7-12

Description: Students create community Needs Assessment questions and then do interviews asking questions about issues in their neighborhood. They compile these interviews into a news-style story where they get a pulse on what's going on in their community.

#15: This is the Future

Grades: 9-12

Description: Students begin by asking questions about what the future will be like. These might be things like, "Will we have flying cars?" or "What will the environment be like?" or "Will robots replace all of our jobs?" or "How will cities change with self-driving cars?" They then engage in in-depth research about everything from social trends to politics to globalization to technology. In the end, they engage in a discussion where they tackle different key questions as a group.

#16: Rate It!

Grades: 9-12

Description: Students are placed in small groups where they have to create their own top ten lists. They then go from ten and count down, each time advocating for why they rated something at each spot. It could be something like, "top ten inventions of the 19th Century" or "top presidents" in history. It might be something like "top five ways to colonize space" in science.

#17: Guess What I Found?

Grades: 4-12

Description: One of my favorite podcasts is 99% Invisible, which is a highly produced narrative-style podcast. However, once a year, they do a segment where they talk about random stories they discovered. This could work well when studying science phenomenon, physical fitness in PE, or music history. It pretty much fits into any subject.

#18: Trivia Show

Grades: 9-12

Description: One of my favorite radio shows is Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. This podcast is a variation on this option. Here, one group of students creates a set of trivia questions and the second group consists of a panel that must answer the questions. It can get suspenseful and intense or it can be light and humorous. In a music class, you might have students do a quiz show to see if they can identify a chord progression or set of instruments given a song clip.

#19: Career Exploration

Grades: 9-12

Description: Students in this option can do research about careers that they would want to do. They might interview an expert in the field or even do a short job shadowing. But the idea is that they are sharing critical details about that particular career. This can work well in a health class, where students might explore potential careers and engage in goal-setting.

#20: Poetry

Grades: 2-12

Description: Poetry was meant to be read aloud and this is a chance for students to read their poetry in a way that is a little less nerve-wracking than reading it to an entire group. Students can add intro music or get into the idea of slam poetry. It's a chance to edit, revise, and re-record.

The bottom line is this: figure out what works for you and what fits best with your subject. Focus on making it relevant and empathizing with the audience. The more it feels like a real podcast, the more likely students will be to work hard and put in the creative energy to make it awesome. When that happens, they will retain more information and learn at a deeper level.

Empower Your Students with Voice and Choice

Want to get started with student ownership? Check out this page with free articles, videos, and resources. Also, check out the Empower Blueprint and Toolkit below.

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Last week, I shared why student podcasting is a great idea. Podcasting is a powerful way for students to share their voice with the world. Along the way, they learn to communicate, engage in critical

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Teacher Blog Post with Website Building Tips and Helpful Links

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Teacher Blog Post with Website Building Tips and Helpful Links

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Thanks to the best free website builder service, creating a website with no money is an achievable task.

We've already featured the best website builder software which includes paid-for services that include the widest range of features. However, there are some good free website builders out there.

The problem is that there are so many website creation applications and services vying for attention that it can be difficult to know which one to opt for - this is where we can help.

Top 3 website builder services of 2022

These first three options aren't necessarily free, but they are the best website builder services you can get. With Wix being the top pick, you can use its premium services without paying a penny as the website builder offers a free service as well as paid options.

We've collated the very best free website builders available, from the 50+ website builders we've tested and reviewed.

It's usually quicker, easier and more efficient to create and edit a site entirely online with a WYSIWYG editor, but if you want complete control over every aspect of your site's design and web hosting, you'll need a desktop-based free website builder.

So whether you're looking to create a site for your business, a new blog, or you just fancy creating an online presence for yourself, here are the best free website builder services to help you out.

These are the best free website builder services of 2022

The best free website builder

Wix (opens in new tab) is a big-name website builder which offers a free plan, enabling you to have the run of this service without having to put your hand in your pocket. And you benefit from one of the most impressive website editors in the business.

This editor can be run in ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) mode, which has a very basic interface to keep everything really simple and user-friendly. This is great for beginners, as you can create a basic site without even remotely breaking a sweat (a range of attractive templates are provided, as well).

Those who want to get more involved with tweaking the design of their website can step up to the full Wix editor, which boasts powerful functionality, and the ability to really hone your website and get it looking just as you want. Visual previews of page elements make it easy to pick what you need for any particular part of a web page, too.

Wix is so polished that putting together your site using the editor feels more like using a native application rather than a website builder, and it also sports excellent support for a diverse range of media, and quality customer support as well, even on the free plan. In addition, Wix Turbo was recently released which improves the performance and speed of all Wix websites.

Powerful blogging functionality rounds things off nicely, and you're getting a truly high quality offering with this freewebsite builder.

The most intuitive website builder

Zyro (opens in new tab) stands out from the crowd purely because of how straightforward and easy it is for beginners to use when creating a website.

The "try for free" option takes you straight to three options in order to create your free website.

You can either choose a designer-made template, then customize text, images, and features or let Zyro AI generate a website for you instantly, with the freedom to change anything in its drag-and-drop editor.

The last option it gives you is the ability to import the content and design of your existing online website and make changes in the Zyro editor.

Zyro (opens in new tab) offers over 150 templates, from ecommerce and photography, to landing pages or even black templates for you to have complete control of your website's design.

Also, the website builder's ecommerce platform offers over 50 payment options, allowing you to sell on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon - while order tracking, managing inventory, as well as managing shipping and tax.

Despite the fact that Zyro's free option is good, simple to use and covers the basics needed for a website, it's paid option is even better and extremely affordable. It's cheapest plan offers free email for three months, security with SSL, blogging tools, and free web hosting.

The quick and easy free website builder

Weebly (opens in new tab) offers you two ways to build your website. Both involve creating it online, and both are as quick and painless as possible.

The simplest option is to use the basic editor builder which will guide you through a series of questions before automatically creating a site for you. There is scope for customization, but the focus here is really on fast results for anyone who is terrified of designing websites.

A more hands-on approach is available if you decide to use the standard Editor. There are literally hundreds of stylish templates to choose from - and, yes, they are genuinely impressive - which you can tweak and tailor to your needs using a beautiful WYSIWYG editor.

Despite being a cloud-based website builder, Weebly gives you a great degree of control over the look of your site and placement of page elements. You can also liven it up using additional features such as a newsletter and live chat. This power and flexibility make Weebly a good, free website builder to consider.

4. WordPress

The open source and free website builder

Reasons to buy

Causing a slight degree of confusion, there are actually two different versions of WordPress. The more complex variant can be downloaded from wordpress.org (opens in new tab) , and you will need to upload it to your own web space and install it using the automated online installer. You can then customize the templates and use add-ons to make the site your own.

This is the route many bloggers go down, but there is a simpler option for people who don't want the hassle of fiddling about with scripts and getting dirty with hardcore editing.

The hosted version of WordPress lets you create your own site on wordpress.com (opens in new tab) . You can create everything from a blog or photo site, to a fully fledged online store, and there are a number of templates to choose from. Additionally, Mailchimp users have a benefit of adding a Mailchimp block, which can grow your mailing list among other things.

Whether you're creating a static site, or a blog-style site with regularly updated content, the online editor is a joy to use and allows just about anyone to create an impressive, professional-looking site. The only downside is the limited range of plugins and templates compared with the desktop version, and other free website builders.

A desktop website builder that has a free version

Incomedia WebSite X5 (opens in new tab) received an overhaul in April 2019 with new templates, an updated interface, new paid versions, and more. Note that the free version for TechRadar (opens in new tab) readers is still available to download. There are two paid versions, Evo and Pro, priced at €39.95 ($46.85) and €69.95 ($82) respectively. This is a one time purchase and naturally, both versions come with additional and improved features compared to the free one. There is also a demo version of both paid versions that you can try out.

Unlike WordPress and Wix, WebSite X5 is a desktop website builder, which means you can work on your site offline and have more freedom to make your website look exactly the way you want.

There's a range of ready-made templates to choose from, or you can create your own design from scratch. Next, build up your site map, showing the hierarchy of your pages and how they connect to one another - a feature you won't find in most web-based site builder apps. There is also e-commerce support with features like product search page and optimized checkout.

Once that's done, you're ready to start building your pages using Website X5's simple drag-and-drop interface, which includes tools for editing both rich text and photos.

If you don't want to pay immediately, WebSite X5 offers a 15-day free trial.

6. CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor

The free HTML editor for building websites

Reasons to buy

CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor (opens in new tab) is one of a dying breed of web building programs that don't use a CMS (content management system). While not in the same league as the likes of Adobe Dreamweaver, Free HTML Editor packs quite a professional punch. With split screen code/preview views, it's possible to see the effect the changes you make have straight away.

To help you get started quickly, there are a number of templates built into the program, and there are some very nice features such as tag and code suggestions as you type.

For absolute beginners, the program might seem a little overwhelming to start with, but it's worth sticking with - assuming you have some HTML knowledge. There is one slight issue; a number of features, such as spell-checking and code optimization, are only included in the paid-for version of the program. Otherwise, it can make for a simple alternative to a free website builder.

Another free website builder

Reasons to buy

Joomla is a well-known name in the CMS world. It may not be as popular as WordPress, but it offers the same two options: build a site using the web app at launch.joomla.org (opens in new tab) and have it hosted on the company's servers, or download the software from joomla.org (opens in new tab) and host it yourself.

If you choose the latter option, you'll notice that the interface is much less approachable than WordPress. It's not completely impenetrable, but there are lots of menus and options to work through and it doesn't feel quite as polished as WordPress.

Joomla's free website builder is nearly as complex, but doesn't involve the same setup process, making it a better option for beginners. Its key selling point is a huge collection of themes and extensions, which provide endless ways to customize the way your site looks and works.

The best choice for customer support

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Best free website builder service of 2022

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Thanks to the best free website builder service, creating a website with no money is an achievable task. We've already featured the best website builder software which includes paid-for services that include the widest range of features. However, there are some good free website builders out there.

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Ideas on Types of Websites Students Can Make 

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Ideas on Types of Websites Students Can Make 

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With helpful links and tutorials

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How To Create Your Own Website For A School Project

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Websites are a great way to go above and beyond for a school project. If you make a website, you take your assignment to a level, not like any other student. Thankfully for you, websites can be quite…

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Connecting with Other Teachers Who Have Used Websites in Classrooms

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Connecting with Other Teachers Who Have Used Websites in Classrooms

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Complete with tips and real examples from their students

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Last year in my computer classes I taught the 6th graders how to use webs.com.  Before doing that, however, I gave them lessons on internet safety to make sure they wouldn't post personal information.(Visit http://www.covenantworks.com/Bouncy-A/Computer/InternetSafety/index... to see resources I have found)

For the 7th & 8th graders I had them create their own webquests in groups of 2 and 3 using simple HTML, Word & other online utilities (See http://www.covenantworks.com/Bouncy-A/Computer/Projects/index.htm ). Of course you as the teacher would need some programming skills!  Here is a link to their work: http://www.covenantworks.com/thinkquests/

Alas my district decided to release all but one of the "two-year" teachers in our building and I'm not teaching this year. (sigh)

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Some of my upper elementary students would like to create a website for their End of the unit project. What can I use that is safe and elementary? Or should...

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Complete with templates to make the process easy

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Easily create videos for YouTube with Animotos drag-and-drop video maker. Combine your photos and video clips with text and music to make a stunning video. No video editing experience necessary.

When City Girl Flowers uploaded their first video, they only wanted to improve their Google search rankings. But before long, their YouTube channel was racking up views, thanks to their tutorial content.

Their most successful video, a Valentine's Day bouquet tutorial, started off with 20,000 views and got City Girl Flowers 3 new corporate clients early on. Two years later, the video is still a hit for the florist shop. It's been viewed more than 118,000 times, and the number keeps growing and driving traffic to the City Girl's website.

1. Select a storyboard template or start from scratch

2. Upload your photos and video clips or choose from our library of Getty Images stock

3. Personalize by changing colors, text, and music and adding your logo

4. Produce and share to your YouTube channel in one click

Create and share videos for free. Upgrade anytime for more customization.

As you begin creating videos, we're here to help along the way! Get started with Animoto and join others just like you in The Animoto Social Video Marketing Community on Facebook. Our team of video experts is ready to help you grow with tips, ideas, inspiration, and feedback on your videos.

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YouTube Video Maker | Create and Edit Videos Free

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Easily create videos for YouTube with Animotos drag-and-drop video maker. Combine your photos and video clips with text and music to make a stunning video. No video editing experience necessary. When City Girl Flowers uploaded their first video, they only wanted to improve their Google search rankings.

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15 creative video project ideas for students (and their teachers)

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Need video project ideas for students? From elementary school to college and beyond, these video project ideas hit the spot for students & teachers.

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Benefits of Using YouTube in the Classroom

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Benefits of Using YouTube in the Classroom

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We all know YouTube is fun to watch for kids, but is it educational? Our answer: yes!

Especially with expert guidance, YouTube is one of the best ed tech tools out there today. In addition to boasting hundreds of educational channels, this platform offers some awesome learning benefits for kids looking to get creative, or even create a profitable side hustle.

As of 2021, YouTube is the second most popular social media platform, so in addition to learning the video editing and creation skills needed to gather followers, it is an excellent platform for kids to get their voice out there! The key lies in lots of practice, learning from successful streamers and other experts, and of course, using the platform in a safe manner.

But don't just take our word for it.

We're so excited to be partnering with Dude Perfect, legendary YouTubers and creators of a channel with 56 million subscribers (and counting). Their success didn't just happen; it happened as the result of hard work, trial and error, and learning while having a blast enjoying the journey!

To us, that sounds like an exciting way to learn, and we're so excited to see a new generation of content creators follow in Dude Perfect's footsteps through Video Editing with Dude Perfect and Video Editing and Effects with Dude Perfect, plus more adventures ahead at our in-person camps!

Let's zoom in on some of the most powerful learning benefits kids and teens can gain from learning with YouTube.

Top 5 Benefits of Learning with YouTube

YouTube provides virtually limitless potential for kids and teens to share their interests and ideas, but how can they unlock that potential? Going from consuming content to creating content is the game-changer.

When young people approach YouTube from an analytical creator's lens, the site becomes more than just entertainment or a quick tutorial. They can learn the skills they'll need to build a following and potentially monetize their channel, all while learning valuable STEM skills and being inspired by other YouTubers to keep the momentum going.

Here are 5 learning benefits kids can enjoy as they grow their skills with YouTube.

1. Kids can practice planning skills

A typical Dude Perfect video receives tens of millions of views, but how does it get there? To create a great video, a tremendous amount of planning goes on behind the scenes.

According to Coby and Cory Cotton, every video they make spends at least a week in editing, and that's after an extensive planning and shooting process! When it's time to upload, most of their videos, even the most famous ones, end up including about 5% of what was actually filmed; only the best of the best footage makes the cut.

Planning can be tedious for kids when it comes to juggling homework, or say planning out a presentation for school, but when they can see the tangible results of their hard work and it's for something they're actually excited about, it becomes more fun than a chore.

2. Kids can layer creative projects and pursuits

When we think of streaming on YouTube, cameras and video editing software instantly come to mind, right?

But that's just the beginning of the creative potential of this platform!

From writing scripts, to brainstorming video concepts and designing and animating logos (and more!) YouTube makes it easy to combine creative interests. If your child thrives with interdisciplinary learning, launching a YouTube channel could be the perfect glue to bring all their ideas together.

3. Kids can embrace the entrepreneurial spirit

On top of the intrinsic motivations involved in doing what you enjoy most, there's real potential to monetize YouTube channels.

In terms of motivating kids to learn with YouTube, it's no secret that the most successful YouTubers are earning millions of dollars a year; in fact, by 2028, the global streaming market is estimated to be worth $223.98 billion.

And while that may seem like a far-off, unattainable goal, all the biggest names in streaming started somewhere!

4. Kids can collaborate and share their ideas and interests

Creating a YouTube channel allows a lot more flexibility than creating, say, a book report on what was assigned in class. Choice is an extremely powerful learning motivator! Kids can talk about what genuinely interests them, see how their hobbies connect with others, and join a community of like-minded people.

So, if your child is passionate about video games, or the latest YA fiction series, baking, or creating their own DIY tutorials, they're not alone! By creating the best content that personally resonates, kids increase their chances of connecting with an audience.

Plus, by learning with YouTube, kids can learn firsthand that teamwork really does make the dream work.

Take the folks at Dude Perfect for example: their team is composed of experts from a wide variety of fields. By combining expertise in finance, social media, planning behind the scenes, video editing and production, storytelling, and more, they're able to collaborate to make awesome videos.

There are ample opportunities for kids to collaborate on their YouTube content, even as they find their personal style and voice, which further enriches the learning potential.

5. Kids can find infinite inspiration

We all know that there are billions of hours of content out there from kid streamers to virtual tours of amazing places and thousands of TED Talks, so there's no shortage of ideas to jumpstart kids' next creations.

Once kids get started, they can continue to find inspiration from their favorite influencers to learn how to create signatures for their very own YouTube channel, or simply try their hand at video editing for videos to share with family and friends.

The best part?

YouTube has plenty to offer kids in terms of peer inspiration if needed, a nice break from grown ups telling them what to do!

Go from scrolling to creating

Taking that first step can seem like a big leap at first. An inspirational mentor who knows their stuff can make that a lot easier (and more fun!).

Check out the latest from our course catalog that's custom designed for budding YouTubers:

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Top Benefits of Learning With YouTube: Featuring Expertise from Dude Perfect!

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We all know YouTube is fun to watch for kids, but is it educational? Our answer: yes! Especially with expert guidance, YouTube is one of the best ed tech tools out there today. In addition to boasting hundreds of educational channels, this platform offers some awesome learning benefits for kids looking to get creative, or even create a profitable side hustle.

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Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation

"More hands make for lighter work." "Two heads are better than one." "The more the merrier."

These adages speak to the potential groups have to be more productive, creative, and motivated than individuals on their own.

Benefits for students

Group projects can help students develop a host of skills that are increasingly important in the professional world (Caruso & Woolley, 2008; Mannix & Neale, 2005). Positive group experiences, moreover, have been shown to contribute to student learning, retention and overall college success (Astin, 1997; Tinto, 1998; National Survey of Student Engagement, 2006).

Properly structured, group projects can reinforce skills that are relevant to both group and individual work, including the ability to:

Break complex tasks into parts and steps

Plan and manage time

Refine understanding through discussion and explanation

Give and receive feedback on performance

Challenge assumptions

Develop stronger communication skills.

Group projects can also help students develop skills specific to collaborative efforts, allowing students to...

Tackle more complex problems than they could on their own.

Delegate roles and responsibilities.

Share diverse perspectives.

Pool knowledge and skills.

Hold one another (and be held) accountable.

Receive social support and encouragement to take risks.

Develop new approaches to resolving differences.

Establish a shared identity with other group members.

Find effective peers to emulate.

Develop their own voice and perspectives in relation to peers.

While the potential learning benefits of group work are significant, simply assigning group work is no guarantee that these goals will be achieved. In fact, group projects can - and often do - backfire badly when they are not designed, supervised, and assessed in a way that promotes meaningful teamwork and deep collaboration.

Benefits for instructors

Faculty can often assign more complex, authentic problems to groups of students than they could to individuals. Group work also introduces more unpredictability in teaching, since groups may approach tasks and solve problems in novel, interesting ways. This can be refreshing for instructors. Additionally, group assignments can be useful when there are a limited number of viable project topics to distribute among students. And they can reduce the number of final products instructors have to grade.

Whatever the benefits in terms of teaching, instructors should take care only to assign as group work tasks that truly fulfill the learning objectives of the course and lend themselves to collaboration. Instructors should also be aware that group projects can add work for faculty at different points in the semester and introduce its own grading complexities.

References

Astin, A. (1993). What matters in college? Four critical years revisited. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Caruso, H.M., & Wooley, A.W. (2008). Harnessing the power of emergent interdependence to promote diverse team collaboration. Diversity and Groups. 11, 245-266.

Mannix, E., & Neale, M.A. (2005). What differences make a difference? The promise and reality of diverse teams in organizations. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 6(2), 31-55.

National Survey of Student Engagement Report. (2006). http://nsse.iub.edu/NSSE_2006_Annual_Report/docs/NSSE_2006_Annual_Report.pdf.

Tinto, V. (1987). Leaving college: Rethinking the causes and cures of student attrition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

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What are the benefits of group work? - Eberly Center - Carnegie Mellon University

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Tips for Making Effective Group Project Groupings 

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Tips for Making Effective Group Project Groupings 

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When you’re in college, it is up to you to complete the work necessary to earn your degree. That said, assigning group projects is a common practice in higher education. Not to mention, many job roles require that you work as a team. So, the sooner you learn to master this type of interaction, the better. These seven tips can help, making your group project a success.

1. Start off the group project on the right foot.

Before you even begin the group project, meet as a group and introduce yourselves. Maybe even do a quick ice breaker, such as asking each member what they ate for breakfast or the best book they ever read. Taking a moment to get to know each other starts the group on the right foot. It helps each of you develop a greater level of comfortability, which is going to be important as you strive to work cohesively in the days and weeks ahead. If you are all in the same vicinity, perhaps you can hold this meeting in person. If you are scattered about, hold this meeting virtually so everyone can attend. Online platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom can be used for this purpose.

2. Designate a group leader.

Although it is important to hold each member of the group on the same level, designating someone as a leader gives each of you someone to go to if problems arise. Assigning someone to oversee the entire project also creates one more point of checks and balances. Ask for volunteers. If more than one person wants this role, have a group vote. If no one raises their hand, consider stepping up. This is a great opportunity to build your leadership skills, which can serve you well once you enter your career.

3. Set clear expectations for all group members.

One reason some groups fail to meet their objective is that the members aren’t really clear about what they are responsible for completing. Avoid this by deciding upfront who will do what. Be extremely clear so every member knows what they must do to contribute to the final project. The clearer you are when setting these expectations, the fewer misunderstandings you will have as the group project progresses.

4. Be honest about your abilities.

Ideally, each group member should be assigned a task that matches his or her strengths. This leads to a higher quality finished product, a project that allows each member to shine. If you are competitive by nature, it may be tempting to want to be responsible for a task that is above your abilities. Stretching yourself is great, but not when it is at the expense of your team. With that in mind, don’t promise something you can’t deliver. Be honest about your strengths so the team can decide how you can best meet its needs.

5. Set deadlines and stick to them.

Napoleon Hill once said that “a goal is a dream with a deadline.” Setting mini-deadlines throughout the project keeps the team on task. It enables you to achieve your ultimate goal, which is to turn in the best project possible. Each project is different so, as a team, create a timeline that is realistic and allows you to submit your project on time. Decide what needs to be done at each step. The more specific you are, the better.

6. Meet regularly to check in.

Regular check-ins create accountability. It encourages members to complete their portion of the project on time because they know that they’ll have to face the rest of the group on a pre-set day and time. Meeting often also gives the team the opportunity to step in if something goes off course. Maybe a member had an emergency that prevented them from doing their part. Other members can quickly step in and pick up the slack. As with the initial meeting, these check-ins can be done in person or online. Be sure to choose a time when everyone is available. This may require some flexibility as you work around different schedules.

7. Be respectful to all members…always.

Above all, always be respectful to each group member. Keep in mind that people have varying communication styles and some are naturally better at working as a team. Knocking them for their weaknesses doesn’t further the group as a whole, nor does it speak well for you on a personal level. One strategy for always acting respectfully is to imagine that the other person is a family member that you respect—such as a sibling, parent, or grandparent—and treat them accordingly. Remember that the way you interact with them shapes the way you are viewed. Would you rather be known as someone who is patient and considerate or someone who easily loses their temper and puts their needs above those of the group?

The Bottom Line on Group Projects

Working in a group isn’t always easy. However, following these seven tips can make your team project a greater success, and it will better prepare you for team projects once you complete your degree and enter your field.

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7 Tips to More Effectively Work on Group Projects

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Want to work more effectively on group projects in your college classes? Check out these tips to help you and your group streamline the process.