Finding U in YouTube: A Content Analysis of Instructional Strategies Used in Online Videos (Poster 31)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Saturday 8:00 a.m.
  In Poster Session: Poster Session for the Special Interest Group "Research in Reading and Literacy" SIG 11

Abstract

Given high levels of YouTube exposure among young children, we used content analysis to explore how alphabet content is included in YouTube videos viewed by this population, focusing on the instructional strategies used to promote young children’s alphabet knowledge. We examined a sample of 45 YouTube videos reportedly watched by a sample of young children that included instructional alphabet content. We found that the videos featured a variety of instructional strategies suggested in the literature. However, most videos lacked critical strategies such as explicitly defining the correct letter sounds, indicating letter forms, associating target letters with action words, including lowercase letters, and teaching letters in meaningful contexts. Content creators would do well to incorporate these strategies.

Authors

• Somin Park, The University of Hong Kong

• Rebecca Dore, University of Delaware

• James Alex Bonus, The Ohio State University

• Brenna Hassinger-Das, Pace University

• Wei Pu, University of Hong Kong