Yesterday, YouTube launched a new facet of their popular online video site, creating a new forum for colleges and universities to be heard. YouTube Edu allows higher learning establishments to create channels and upload videos highlighting the schools' activities, research, and achievements. Public relations score!
My head is spinning with all the amazing ways this new addition can be utilized. You Tube is one of the top five popular sites among people ages 18-34, and now with Edu it can be a great source of pride for students and recruitment for potential students. Additionally, isn't an online video highlighting major research efforts and breakthroughs much more interesting that a formal press release? The site is an easy hub to direct journalists to, who are interested in learning more about any university or college's major achievements.
Currently (and I'm really proud to say this) the University of Minnesota is one of the most popular channels among over 100 institutions creating channels as of yesterday. The U of M's channel already hosts 95 videos ranging from highlights of U of M research to tours of the new TCF Stadium. Way to be a leader, U of M. First Twitter, now You Tube. Universities, especially the U of M, are taking a head first leap into the world of social media, and people are paying attention.
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