There’s a YouTube channel called “Heimler’s History” that posts educational videos about history for advanced placement history classes.
However, although these videos are educational, some of them are outright blocked by the New York City Department of Education on YouTube. What makes this more frustrating is that videos like gameplays aren’t blocked.
Some AP history classes use Heimler’s videos in lessons or homework assignments, which means that the DOE blocking these videos could affect their learning.
The blocking of Heimler videos also prevents AP US History students from finishing their work in school, as they get homework that they need to watch Heimler’s videos to complete. Some of this homework is rather long, making it more burdensome if students can’t finish it sooner.
As a solution, the DOE’s content filter should be changed so that it only blocks videos that aren’t educational.
WJPS history teacher Mr. Tesler said, “I wasn’t aware they were being blocked by the DOE. Them being blocked is not good because they’re an important part of the curriculum.”
WJPS technology specialist Mr. Myrtil said, “The DOE filter is very broad. It tries to filter out content that is too violent or religious. We also share a filter with the middle school.”
