Best Educational YouTube Channels for Homeschoolers

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Over the last few years, YouTube has exploded with content made by experts in their field. Some of them are very talented at sharing concepts in creative ways. These channels are the reason it’s fun to make a YouTube Playlist for your students. Today’s post is all about the Best Educational YouTube Channels for Homeschoolers.

As always with internet content, previewing is a good idea. While many of these vloggers have great things to share, you want to be sure it is right for your family.

Math Channels on YouTube

Videos are a great way to enjoy math and these YouTube videographers have some fabulous content for us. Apart from curriculum math, I love the way these channels make us think about math. You’ll find everything from tutorials and instruction to current events and new ways to think about mathematical concepts.

• ViHart– You may know her from Kahn Academy videos, but she has a style all her own. She has some fast paced videos which are sure to keep your attention and keep you thinking.
• Numberphile– Just like the name suggests, this guy loves numbers and so will you after spending some time here.
• Computerphile– A channel about all things computers. I know our youngest would adore this channel!
• Kahn Academy– There’s a tutorial for everyone here! Math, science, languages, etc. These are individual videos, but on their website you can take courses as well. Our youngest enjoys the courses on computer science.
• WowMath– This is a harder core lesson channel for high school math. Calculus anyone?
• Professor Leonard– Another channel dedicated to math education.

This video from ViHart is all about the hexaflexagon. After watching it, our daughter made a bunch of them. Try it!

YouTube Science Channels

Science is an easy video topic with many science enthusiasts making contributions. If you have a favorite not listed here, please share it with us!

• Mythbusters– Who doesn’t love this fun concept of busting or proving common conceptions (or misconceptions) in the physical world?
• Vsauce– This guy tackles fun science questions like, “What is the speed of dark?”.
• MinutePhysics– Fun physics videos that teach us why things are the way they are in the world around us
• Periodic Videos– These are fun videos based on elements in the Periodic Table of the Elements.
• SciShow– Fun videos on science concepts with an engaging format.
• MinuteEarth– A fun look at earth science and conservation concepts
• Veritasium– An element of truth. A look at science from the angle of misconceptions we may believe.
• Sixty Symbols– Cool videos on physics and astronomy
• How It’s Made– Our kids love this show! Now you can view episodes and clips on how everyday objects are made in factories around the world.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology– All things birds on this channel. If you are a nature enthusiast, then this is a great place to start.
• Peterson Field Guides– Add a visual to your birding with these videos
• BrainCraft– A show about neuroscience. Cool things to learn about our brains and the way they work!
• ASAPscience– A weekly dose of fun science

Ethan, our 11th grader, suggested this video from VSauce to share with you. It’s a perfect illustration of the fact that many of these YouTube personalities talk about a variety of subjects. Just know that I grouped channels together reasonably well, but you will find these folks stepping out of their niche from time to time. While VSauce is mainly science, this video talks about language and how we use it. This is a fun look at words!

History Content Channels at YouTube

It’s easy to find video web content on historical topics, but it’s nice to have it all in one place. These are a few of our favorites when it comes to history and social studies in general. Sometimes you can catch full episodes of shows and other times, it’s only a clip.

• CrashCourse– This channel has all sorts of subjects including historical and political content.
• History Channel– You can find clips and full episodes of shows on the The History Channel.
• Brain Bubble TV– Be smarter in 60 seconds. All kinds of questions and historical topics covered here. Probably other subjects too.
• Mental Floss– A weekly trivia channel for knowledge buffs!

Tips for Using YouTube in Your Homeschool

Since most of us probably don’t need another reason for our students to sit in front of a screen, what are some ways to use YouTube effectively?

• Sick days– You know those days when your kids aren’t totally sacked out, but they aren’t up for doing their regular school work? That’s a great day for a YouTube play list on math or science.
• Traveling– Educational and reasonable when you have long road trips and you’ve played out the alphabet game
• Waiting Time– I love to pass the time in doctor’s waiting rooms with a good math video. We’ve had quite a year of therapies and dr’s appts and this keeps the kids thinking.
• Enhancement– Of a concept they are already looking at. Doing geometry in math? Find a fun video on Pi.
• Inspiration– ViHart is a great artsy math example for our artsy daughter. She loves to watch math doodling videos and give them a whirl. It’s also good for introducing new vocabulary like, “fractals”.
• Project Ideas– When our kids are working independently on their own projects, they can find help with a simple search.

Tools for Using YouTube in Your Homeschool

So, what do you need to get started using YouTube channels? Families are in different places with technology. Most people have a desktop computer, but not everyone has a mobile device. Here are some ideas:

• Desktop Computer– There’s nothing wrong with saddling up and watching at the desk.
• TV– Using a Wii which can access the internet. This is a great choice if you want a lot of people to see the video at once.
• Tablets– Like iPads and Kindle Fires. If your family does not have a tablet, then I recommend the Kindle Fire. It’s a very economical way to enter the world of tablet computing and it’s a great product for internet consuming!
• Mobile Apps– If you do have a tablet or a phone, you can use a YouTube App to view your playlists easily. I was even able to add to my playlists on my phone.
• Playlists– If you want to have the lists of videos made ahead of time, then you can make a playlist. How to Make a YouTube Playlist is a tutorial on how to do just that!

Other Technology Posts at Blog, She Wrote

As I have become a user of some savvy tools in our homeschool, I like to share not only our experience but also how others can make use of the same tools. Enjoy some posts on technology in homeschool:

• Managing the Internet in Your Home– All about how to use your router to filter content along with how to put access controls in place for your family’s devices. My husband Dan did a great job making this accessible to readers.
• How to Make a YouTube Playlist– In case you missed this link and want to make customized playlists for school subjects.
• How to Use Google Earth in Your Homeschool– Tutorials, lessons, and ideas on using this digital globe.
• How to Homeschool with a Kindle– This page shares with you all my posts using a Kindle (both the reader and the tablet) in your homeschooling. Most people aren’t aware of all the features a Kindle offers. These have been invaluable in our studies.

What are your favorite YouTube channels? Please share them in the comments!

This post is part of iHN’s Resources for Homeschool Moms link up. Visit the link to learn about more resources from other bloggers.