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YouTube Provides New, Ad-Free Player for Classrooms, New In-Stream Courses for Educational Creators

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YouTube Provides New, Ad-Free Player for Classrooms, New In-Stream Courses for Educational Creators

Whether you need help with a home DIY project, or you’re looking for assistance on your math homework, YouTube has become a default education resource for many, with some 93% of YouTube viewers now using the platform to gather information.

Leaning into this, YouTube has today announced a new, dedicated YouTube Player for Education, which will enable educators to display YouTube content without ads via certain third-party platforms, while YouTube’s also giving qualified creators the option to offer free or paid courses directly in-app.

First off, on the new education player – as per YouTube:

“To improve the YouTube experience in educational environments, we’re launching YouTube Player for Education – a new YouTube embedded player that shows content on commonly used education apps without distractions like ads, external links or recommendations.”

That will make it easier for teachers to use YouTube content within their curriculum, and to share relevant links with students without additional disruptions.

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YouTube says that it’s partnering with established edtech companies like EDpuzzle, Purdue University and Purdue Global on the initial stages of the initiative, with further expansion planned in the near future.

Worth noting, too, that YouTube is already available via Google Classroom, which is now used by over 150 million students, educators and school leaders around the world. YouTube says that the new Player for Education improves on the Classroom experience, offering enhancements to these users also.

In addition to this, YouTube will now give some creators the opportunity to offer free or paid courses ‘to provide in-depth, structured learning experiences for viewers’.

YouTube’s new courses will be purchasable in-app, providing another avenue for educators to make money from their content.

It’ll also provide a more structured means for users to learn more in-depth skills, matching up rising demand for informational videos with immediately accessible course options.

YouTube will first launch Courses in the US and South Korea, before expanding it to more countries in future. The option will initially only be available to selected YouTube creators.

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And finally, YouTube’s also adding Quizzes, which will enable creators to help viewers test their knowledge.

“For example, a math creator who recently posted a series on algebra can create a Quiz on the Community tab to ask their viewers a question related to a concept taught in their latest video.”

YouTube Education

Quizzes, as you can see in this example, will also link back to the reference video, providing a more encompassing educational loop to help reinforce key knowledge.

YouTube says that Quizzes will be launched in beta ‘over the coming months’, with all creators who have the Community tab set to be able to access Quizzes next year.

These are some valuable updates, which are especially beneficial in the modern age, where kids are spending more and more of their time online. One of the lasting impacts of the pandemic has been in education, and changing the ways in which students learn, with many now becoming increasingly accustomed to tuning up their classroom skills via YouTube tutorials, where they can find information presented in a way that best connects with their approach.

In this sense, these new course and quiz elements could be hugely beneficial, while improved access for classrooms will also broaden access to key reference and resource material for educators everywhere.

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

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This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

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“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

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Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

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