Recommendations for educational YouTube channels or podcasts

Introduction

In an era driven by digital technology, learning has transcended the boundaries of traditional classrooms. Educational YouTube channels and podcasts have emerged as powerful platforms for disseminating knowledge and fostering continuous learning. With a multitude of options available, finding the right channels or podcasts that suit your interests and learning style can be overwhelming. To help you navigate this sea of information, we've curated a list of recommendations for some of the best educational YouTube channels and podcasts across various subjects.

1. CrashCourse (YouTube): Making Learning Fun

CrashCourse is a pioneer in the educational YouTube sphere, offering engaging courses on a wide range of topics, from science and history to psychology and literature. Hosted by passionate educators, these bite-sized videos distill complex subjects into easily digestible segments. Whether you're a student seeking supplementary material or an adult looking to expand your knowledge, CrashCourse's dynamic content will captivate and enlighten you.

2. TED-Ed (YouTube): Ideas Worth Spreading

From thought-provoking talks to animated lessons, TED-Ed presents educational content that sparks curiosity and critical thinking. With experts from various fields sharing their insights, this channel provides a platform for exploring innovative ideas, scientific breakthroughs, and societal issues. Dive into TED-Ed's repository to discover enlightening perspectives that challenge your worldview.

3. Khan Academy (YouTube): Personalized Learning

Khan Academy has revolutionized online education by offering a vast array of lessons, exercises, and assessments for free. Covering subjects from math and science to arts and humanities, their tutorials empower learners to progress at their own pace. With a mission to provide a world-class education to anyone, anywhere, Khan Academy is an invaluable resource for students and lifelong learners alike.

4. Veritasium (YouTube): Science Simplified

Veritasium, hosted by physicist Derek Muller, unravels the mysteries of science with a touch of entertainment. Through experiments, interviews, and captivating visual demonstrations, the channel explores fascinating scientific concepts. Muller's engaging approach breaks down complex ideas, making them accessible to both novices and enthusiasts.

5. Stuff You Should Know (Podcast): A Deep Dive into Everyday Curiosities

Hosted by Josh and Chuck, "Stuff You Should Know" delves into a plethora of curious topics that often go unnoticed in our daily lives. From the science behind déjà vu to the history of comic books, each episode presents captivating narratives that enrich your knowledge base. This podcast is the perfect companion for commutes, workouts, or leisurely walks.

6. The Great Courses (Podcast and YouTube): Learning from Professors

The Great Courses brings the classroom to your device with video lectures delivered by renowned professors. With topics spanning science, history, philosophy, and more, these courses provide in-depth explorations of various subjects. Whether you prefer to watch or listen, The Great Courses offers a comprehensive educational experience.

7. Science Vs (Podcast): Debunking Myths with Science

Hosted by Wendy Zukerman, "Science Vs" confronts popular myths and trends with scientific research. From dissecting the efficacy of diets to examining the truth behind controversial topics, this podcast separates fact from fiction using data-driven analysis. Prepare to have your preconceptions challenged as you listen to engaging debates backed by solid evidence.

8. Art Assignment (YouTube): Nurturing Creativity

For those with an artistic inclination, "Art Assignment" is a gem. Hosted by curator Sarah Urist Green, the channel explores diverse artistic movements, techniques, and artists. Through thought-provoking assignments and insightful interviews, "Art Assignment" encourages viewers to embrace their creative side and engage with art on a deeper level.

9. Radiolab (Podcast): Exploring Science and Philosophy

"Radiolab" is a blend of storytelling and investigative journalism that delves into the realms of science, philosophy, and culture. Hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich take listeners on a journey to unravel the mysteries of the universe, often through captivating narratives and immersive soundscapes. Prepare to be both entertained and enlightened.

10. Historical Figures (YouTube): Learning from the Past

History buffs and curious minds will find solace in "Historical Figures." This YouTube channel offers comprehensive biographies of notable individuals who have shaped the course of history. With detailed narratives and rich visuals, these videos provide insights into the lives and legacies of prominent figures from various eras.

11. Smarter Everyday

SmarterEveryday is one of Youtube's most popular educational channels. It's run by Destin Sandlin, a former rocket scientist and engineer who has more than 10.3 million subscribers. Destin loves to teach others about science through his videos. He also loves to solve problems and uses his scientific knowledge to attempt some exciting things like how to get around the world in 80 days (or less) by only flying when the sun is rising and where it is always daylight above the clouds.  The channel isn't just about science, however. It aims to make it fun and easy for anyone to learn about everything from the physics of space travel to how synesthesia works. SmarterEveryday is part of a new wave of scientific YouTube channels that have become popular in recent years. It's not hard to see why SmarterEveryday and its peers have taken off: They're entertaining and make complicated things easy to understand.

12. Big Think

Big Think is a YouTube channel that aims to answer life's biggest questions. It has over 3.69 Million subscribers, and its videos have been viewed many million times. BigThink.com showcased the ideas of newsmakers and thought leaders in science, technology, economics, politics, and culture. With an ethos of "Ideas worth spreading," Big Think is a global platform where experts engage with new ideas and discoveries every day, sharing their perspectives on science, health care, energy, humanities, business, and international relations.

13. Scishow  

Scishow is a YouTube channel that is part of the HowCast network. It's a channel dedicated to science-related stuff, and many of its videos are on educational topics. It's an excellent resource for those looking to learn something new. It covers science and medicine topics, including biology, chemistry, and physics. There are videos on scientific topics like space travel and astrophysics explaining how various things work or function. The Scishow channel also covers more practical topics, such as cooking and food preparation. This can be helpful when you need to cook something but don't have time to research it first or if you want some tips on how to prepare certain foods more efficiently.

14. MinutePhysics 

MinutePhysics is a YouTube channel created by Henry Reich in 2010. According to Reich, the channel is intended to be a quick and easy way of conveying "to anyone, anywhere, some of the most beautiful things we know about the world." The channel's videos are typically animated. You can watch its videos, which often feature hand-drawn illustrations of simple animation. The videos vary in length, but many are written around a loose theme of delivering scientific knowledge within 5 minutes. In addition to its videos on physics, the channel also creates videos on related science topics such as astronomy, climate change, biology, and math. Videos are also posted explaining myths and misconceptions around science.

15. ExpertVillage

ExpertVillage is an extensive video library of how-to videos. In other words, the purpose of ExpertVillage is to provide the internet with easy-to-follow instructional videos. It covers a wide range of topics, from expert advice to DIY tutorials.The ExpertVillage YouTube channel is owned by Demand Media and was launched in 2006. The channel currently has over 3.56 million subscribers. ExpertVillage features how-to videos on a wide range of topics, including cooking, sports, arts & crafts, photography, health & fitness, beauty & makeup, home improvement & repair, technology, music & instruments, and automotive.

Conclusion

In the digital age, educational YouTube channels and podcasts play a crucial role in fostering learning and personal development. Whether you're a student, professional, or simply curious, these platforms offer diverse content for continuous education. The internet, particularly YouTube, has democratized access to knowledge, allowing people worldwide to learn about a vast array of topics. With these online resources, you can explore subjects that may have been previously inaccessible. The convenience and variety of educational content on YouTube make it a valuable tool for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge and skills.