YouTube announced on Monday that it will have a separate setting for schools to ensure students get the most relevant material possible.

It is not uncommon for schools to censor certain information or resources, particularly when it comes to social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.  They have limited use in a classroom and can serve as an all around distraction.  Students with complete access to YouTube could be spending more time in the computer lab checking out the latest viral cat video or watching Justin Beiber’s most recent release. While entertaining, it probably isn’t the best use of their school hours. 

YouTube has relevant content for just about everything- and we mean everything.  That’s why many schools have formerly blocked the site. 

What if the videos students watched could provide access and insight “that can help bring photosynthesis to life, or show what life was like in ancient Greece,” suggests the Official YouTube Blog.

YouTube has created YouTube EDU so that educational facilities, formerly put off by the possible distractions of the site, can now access videos that will contribute to learning.  There are special filters placed on the site so that only educational videos are loaded and viewed, such as the ones from TED, MIT, the Smithsonian Institute and more.  Additionally, comments and suggested videos are removed to ensure that students can maintain focus.

Owned by Google, YouTube for Schools requires that users merely create a Google account for their institute and administrators can grant access to teachers.  Playlists have already been created and are segmented by subject and learning level.

Proponents suggest that since students are using these resources anyway, educators might as well teach them how to engage effectively with the tools so as to enhance their educational experience as opposed to deterring their progress.

Cute kittens aside, online videos can be a great benefit for educators and students alike and the filtered playlists of YouTube for Schools will make it a reality.