Technology, grades 7+, Downloading and Transforming YouTube Videos
Open your YouTube history and look for music, podcasts and other content that you don't need videos for and would like to own an audio-only copy of.
Show students how easy it is to download YouTube videos and convert them to MP3 files by copying the video's URL and pasting it into this website. When the file is downloaded, play it for them to show that it works, even when disconnected from the internet, then immediately delete it. What you have done was for Educational and research purposes. If you keep this video for your own private enjoyment, then you are breaking YouTube's Terms of Service and are technically breaking the law.
Talk your students through the first half of the 2024 article by Liam Curtist entitled YouTube Converters Explained: A Full Legal Breakdown. The second half is basically an ad for their video editor.
When the article gets to the following section, go into greater detail about what the following situations mean.
Educational and research purposes: A teacher downloading a YouTube clip to show in a classroom may qualify as Fair Use. For example, using a 30-second clip from a Kamala Harris speech to discuss public speaking techniques.
Transformative content: If you're downloading a video to create something new, such as a parody, critique, or commentary, this could fall under Fair Use. For example, downloading a movie scene to create a reaction video where your commentary transforms the original content.
In particular, explain what transformative means in the context of media. Memes are transformative, for example, and therefore subject to Fair Use. Video and audio content can also be transformative if
Demonstrate to students how to use Kapwing's easy and free video editor* to create transformative content that does not violate YouTube's ToS.
Students work individually or in groups to use Kapwing's easy and free video editor* create their own transformative content, for educational and research purposes. This should be a lengthy project that requires a rubric of your own design. When complete, students may legally download their own video and keep it for themselves. You may** be able to host a few of them on the school's website.
*I did not take the time to understand how to use this video editor.
**Check with your school administrators well-in-advance of planning this activity. They may need to run it up the chain of command to ensure everyone is comfortable with the legally gray areas. If you don't want to get the school board involved, then maybe don't attempt this lesson.