I’m not referring to trudging to class uphill both ways through six feet of snow without shoes; I mean which topics schools teach now, and more importantly, the way they’re taught.
I used to laugh at jokes about the “new math” and think those folks were overreacting. Then my own children reached the later elementary grades, and I felt their frustration. My son’s algebra stumped me — it had been decades since I’d used letters as numbers, so I wasn’t much help.
Thankfully, there’s YouTube. YouTube hosts a wealth of educational channels that span a broad array of subjects. When my kids and I get baffled by homework, I search these instructional YouTube channels for the explanations we need.
It’s Okay to Be Smart
The title of this science-oriented YouTube channel perfectly captures the casually inquisitive vibe of its content. It’s Okay to Be Smart blends live-action clips with polished animation to create television-caliber videos.
Presenter Joe Hanson, who holds a Ph.D. in biology, dives into a wide range of subjects. Some are familiar — like why beavers are so clever — but his contagious enthusiasm gives them a fresh twist. Other topics are delightfully unexpected, such as Why Salt & Pepper?, which explores the history of these everyday seasonings and why they’re paired together.
Most episodes run about five minutes and are thoroughly entertaining.
CGP Grey
CGP Grey runs an educational channel that takes a slightly different approach. He covers subjects like geography, history and politics, but he doesn’t simply relay facts. Often, Grey presents a real-world issue and offers his take on how to solve it. For example, in “The Trouble with the Electoral College,” he makes a clear case that the popular vote should determine outcomes in the United States.
Many of his clips, typically five to ten minutes long, are delivered with a slyly humorous tone that gives the material a novel perspective. One standout is “How to Become the British Monarch.”
TED-Ed
Chances are you’ve come across TED Talks — presenters sharing compelling ideas. TED also operates an education-focused YouTube channel called TED-Ed. Like TED Talks, TED-Ed combines technology, entertainment and design to present important topics in a memorable way. Their videos tackle culturally significant themes, such as how drugs influence the brain, but sometimes they cover lighter fare, like the invention of the bendy straw.
TED-Ed’s cartoon-like animations typically yield videos between two and five minutes in length, and most are aimed at younger viewers.
OpenLearn
OpenLearn is the video arm of Open University, which offers free courses across many disciplines. You can study arts, forensic science, project management — virtually anything. OpenLearn brings in academic specialists and guest contributors for their shorts, combining interviews with animation to examine each subject. Most pieces are only a few minutes long; some look at global concerns, like patterns of death around the world, while others explore more regional topics, such as the history of the European Union (EU).
If you choose to enroll in Open University’s free courses, you can earn digital badges for each completed course or skill.
Mental Floss
Mental Floss videos are downright addictive — the internet equivalent of a rabbit hole. The Mental Floss YouTube channel extends the tone and content of their website. Their educational shorts string together numerous fascinating facts about a topic, as their thumbnails’ numbers hint. For example, watching “39 Facts About the Middle Ages” leaves you with 39 intriguing bits about a period when beaver tails were once a delicacy.
Mental Floss covers both weightier subjects, like why silent letters exist in English, and lighter ones, such as “31 weird discontinued products.” The formula — brisk narration, obscure trivia, and a backdrop cluttered with pop-culture collectibles — makes these clips binge-worthy, and host John Green’s energetic delivery keeps you watching one after another.
Numberphile
If you’ve ever wondered what a mile of Pi would look like, Numberphile is the channel for you. Creator Brady Haran sometimes teaches fundamental math, but most installments explore numbers on a grand scale, presenting math in an engaging, often surprising way. He pairs live footage with animations and expert guest presenters. Every Numberphile video ties to mathematics, yet they range from abstract ideas, like the Kolakoski Sequence, to practical curiosities such as the scientific method for cutting a cake.
For the truly nerdy, check out their playlist of calculator unboxings.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is among the most renowned educational YouTube channels. What started when Sal Khan tutored his cousin has grown into hundreds of videos produced by a team of more than 150 people. The Khan Academy channel features well-organized playlists so you can follow a series on a single subject; the trigonometry playlist alone has 39 videos. Each clip averages about five minutes, letting you pause and absorb the material.
Khan Academy covers science, math, language arts, social studies and other subjects common to school curricula, and also offers lessons on skills like writing an argumentative essay for the SAT. This channel is committed to deep learning — you won’t find fluff here, only thorough instruction tailored to academic needs.
The School of Life
The School of Life stands out because it doesn’t concentrate on academics. Instead, it aims to teach people how to live better. Their videos impart practical skills applicable to everyday life, drawing on psychology, philosophy and culture. Some episodes focus on interpersonal abilities, like how to be a better listener. Others address thornier life choices, such as whether to remain in or leave a relationship.
Because the School of Life’s contributors study many facets of human existence, you’ll occasionally encounter videos on historical or social topics, like why Socrates disliked democracy. While it won’t replace attentive parents or professional therapists, the School of Life comes surprisingly close.
YouTube offers an educational channel to suit almost every need. Whether you want help with a tricky math problem or guidance on personal development, there are countless videos that deliver what you’re looking for. If you’re also interested in historical content, try to learn history on youtube through these resources.
Ready to stop fretting about money? Get the Savinly Daily Email address Privacy Policy
