YouTube has fundamentally changed the way we consume information. Thanks to the platform, students, professionals, and people who wish to learn throughout their lives have access to different channels that offer exceptional learning videos at no cost. These channels present structured lessons with simple animated graphics and thorough narration on intricate topics.
It acts as a platform to learn Science, History, Philosophy, and Math, which helps to increase one’s knowledge greatly. Most of the videos are done by professionals, teachers, and scientists who break down tough ideas into simple concepts with the help of interactive visuals and real-life situations. Given below are the top 10 channels on YouTube for learning that will grow your knowledge and ensure you are always updated.
1. CrashCourse
Clark and John Green established CrashCourse, a multi-subject educational platform, for History, Literature, Biology, Psychology, and Physics. Their speedy, captivating videos break down difficult subjects and foster interest in learning. It is now a one-stop channel for students as the coverage has grown to include the Humanities, Sciences and Economics.
Pros:
- Covers a wide range of subjects.
- Well-structured lessons with engaging animations.
- Free and accessible to all learners.
- High-quality research-based explanations.
Cons:
- Fast-paced delivery might be overwhelming.
- No interactive exercises for practice.
- Some subjects lack in-depth examples.
2. Khan Academy
Khan Academy provides free detailed video lessons for Math, Science, Economics, and Computing. Their videos have thorough audio instructions alongside stepwise solutions, which help in understanding difficult concepts. Since they cover clusters of subjects from elementary to more advanced topics, Khan Academy is one of the most organized sites for self-study.
Pros:
- Comprehensive and structured lessons.
- Covers topics from beginner to advanced levels.
- Interactive practice exercises available on the website.
- Provides test prep resources like SAT, LSAT, and GMAT.
Cons:
- Some subjects lack extensive coverage.
- Video lessons may feel slow-paced for some learners.
- Limited engagement in non-Math-related topics.
3. TED-Ed
Every TED-Ed video’s narration includes Pedagogy to facilitate far more effective learning, scientifically. The channel employs world-class teachers who deliver scientific, historical and philosophical concepts along with almost magical imagery. The objective of the lessons is to inspire awe and provide deep understanding around fascinating concepts.
Pros:
- Short, engaging, and easy-to-understand videos.
- Beautifully animated lessons.
- Covers a wide range of thought-provoking topics.
- Encourages analytical and creative thinking.
Cons:
- Lacks in-depth coverage of subjects.
- No hands-on learning components.
- Content is more conceptual than practical.
4. Veritasium
Derek Muller Sloan Fellow focuses on Science puzzles, worldly mysteries, and Physics in Veritasium. The channel also includes conversations with specialists to attempt complex experiments, helping understand bite sized pieces. The effort to refute accepted information is both interesting and refreshing.
Pros:
- Hands-on demonstrations of scientific concepts.
- Encourages curiosity and critical thinking.
- Covers a wide range of topics in physics and engineering.
- Challenges myths and misconceptions in Science.
Cons:
- Content is more exploratory than structured learning.
- Some explanations require a basic understanding of Science.
- Videos can be long for casual learners.
5. CGP Grey
CGP Grey produces brief captivating videos on topics relating to Politics, Economics, Geography, and History. The channel incorporates a visual style and narration that makes understanding complex matters as simple as possible. It simplifies intricate political and societal systems by offering them in an easy to comprehend format.
Pros:
- Simplifies complicated concepts.
- Short and informative videos.
- Covers diverse topics from government systems to global economics.
- Neutral and factual explanations.
Cons:
- No interactive elements for deeper engagement.
- Some topics require prior knowledge.
- Releases content less frequently.
6. Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell
Kurzgesagt focuses on Space, evolution, technology, Psychology, and other Science fields creating animated educational videos. The channel is full of beautiful content that explains different complicated concepts in a simple and engaging way utilizing art and storytelling which helps viewers to understand the content better.
Pros:
- Visually appealing and well-researched content.
- Covers deep scientific and philosophical topics.
- Engages viewers with storytelling and humor.
- Includes sources for further reading.
Cons:
- Some topics are oversimplified.
- Not always suitable for detailed academic learning.
- Less frequent video uploads.
7. Vsauce
Run by Michael Stevens, Vsauce brings forward ridiculous Scientific, Philosophical, or Mathematical problems and questions. The channel goes as far as understanding issues that require imagination and literally challenges the audience to go beyond their set ideas.
Pros:
- Encourages curiosity and deep thinking.
- Thought-provoking discussions on various subjects.
- Explores unconventional and unique topics.
- Uses humor to make complex topics engaging.
Cons:
- Long-form videos require patience.
- Some discussions may feel abstract.
- Not suitable for structured learning.
8. AsapSCIENCE
AsapSCIENCE provides whiteboard animations that capture Science’s most intriguing questions like Human Anatomy, Psychology, Space and evolution. Viewers get to learn Science in an animated and engaging style.
Pros:
- Fun, engaging, and easy-to-follow explanations.
- Covers a mix of everyday Science and cutting-edge discoveries.
- Whiteboard animation keeps the content simple and clear.
- Quick, informative videos for casual learners.
Cons:
- Less detailed than traditional Science courses.
- Videos focus more on general curiosity rather than deep learning.
- Not all videos cite scientific sources.
9. SmarterEveryDay
Other than covering the Science of evolution, Anatomy and human behavior, Destin Sandlin directs and stars in Science-centered engineering videos for his channel SmarterEveryDay. Each video on the channel is centered around learning through doing and their application in everyday life.
Pros:
- Real-world experiments enhance learning.
- Encourages curiosity and practical thinking.
- High-quality production and storytelling.
- Features collaborations with experts.
Cons:
- Videos are long and require focus.
- Some content requires prior scientific knowledge.
- Fewer uploads due to research-intensive content.
10. Numberphile
This channel is dedicated to Mathematics and numbers and offers an intriguing Numberphile video series which explains complex Mathematics by interviewing specialists and using animations. This makes Maths approachable even for the people that struggle with the subject.
Pros:
- Makes Math interesting and engaging.
- Covers a wide range of Mathematical topics.
- Features explanations by Mathematicians.
- Uses real-world applications of Math.
Cons:
- Some topics can be advanced for beginners.
- No structured curriculum.
- Not ideal for students looking for step-by-step Math tutorials.
Conclusion
Arguably the best social media platform for educational content is YouTube, the platform hosts educational videos of the highest caliber in different subjects. Versatile creators such as CrashCourse and Khan Academy offer instructed videos while TED-Ed and Veritasium make the videos fun to learn from. On the other hand, short segments offered by Vusauce and Kurzgesagt vastly broaden the imagination. Regardless of your favourite style of learning, these YouTube channels provide their audience with awesome education.
FAQs
1. Are these YouTube channels free to access?
None of the channels listed above require subscribers to pay anything as they all provide free content.
2. Can I find content suitable for all age groups?
Most of the channels do try to tailor content for multiple age groups, however, some content is more appropriate for high school and college students.
(We’re always open to hearing from our community! If you have any feedback or believe your contributions should be recognized, please get in touch.)
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