Peer Review

5MIweekly

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Dec 13, 2018 by Psychology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

5MIweekly is the YouTube channel for Dr. Don Lucas of Northwest Vista College. The channel contains a series of videos in which Dr. Lucas (Professor, Psychology) examines wide-ranging questions about human sexuality. Without shame, judgment, or taboos, 5 Minutes of Intercourse is an opportunity for you to think openly and objectively about sex. Using science as a lens, this channel playfully examines fundamental aspects of human sexuality, including gender, orientation, anatomy, physiology, fantasies, behaviors, paraphilias, and consent. 5 Minutes of Intercourse provides unbiased and scientifically-based answers to many of the questions you likely have about sexuality.

Despite barriers standing in the way of our natural explorations of sexual literacy, 5 Minutes of Intercourse will allow you to (1) Question why general beliefs about sex are often inaccurate, (2) Test your levels of sexual knowledge, and (3) Introspect upon definitions of sexuality, sexual development, and sexual health. Dr. Lucas describes 5MIweekly as “a platform for you to QUESTION the accuracy of societal beliefs about sex; TEST your own sexual knowledge; and INTROSPECT upon diverse definitions of sexuality, sexual development, and sexual health.”

At the time of this review, 5MIweekly had over 1200 subscribers.

Type of Material:

Collection

Recommended Uses:

The site offers students and faculty a way to view quick presentations on sex and sexuality by an expert in an open environment. The videos can be used to augment class readings, to inform assignments, or to stimulate in-class discussion of human sexuality.

Technical Requirements:

The link is the YouTube Channel. Automatic closed captioning in English is available. All browsers can be used to view the videos. No special technology is required.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

The YouTube channel describes the learning purpose as follows: "To think objectively and playfully about sex--without being shamed, judged, or labeled for doing so." Viewers of the videos will be exposed to all aspects of sex and sexuality in an open forum. Many of these are directly related to topics in Human Sexuality courses, others are topics that find curious.

Target Student Population:

College students taking a Human Sexuality course would likely benefit the most while those teaching the topic or just interested would find the information useful as well as interesting. While these videos are appropriate for those of reproductive age, some may disagree.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Prerequisite knowledge is not a requirement. Anyone with an interest in the subject matter will benefit from the information presented.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The videos cover sex and sexuality from a scientific perspective in an open forum addressing wide-ranging questions that students are likely to ask about human sexuality. It seems no topic is off limits. The questions are answered objectively, and research studies and surveys are cited. Complete journal references come into view as Dr. Lucas references their content in his remarks.

Concerns:

None.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Many of these topics are still taboo depending on where one lives or their beliefs. These short videos, designed as teaching tools, may help students (and faculty) feel more comfortable with the topics, while providing research supported evidence. Each video asks a clear, finite question about human sexuality.

The videos are brief (ranging from approximately 3 minutes to 15 minutes), thus enhancing the likelihood that students will watch them in their entirety. The short nature of the videos allows them to easily fit into a lecture or as part of an assignment. The videos can easily be linked to a course website as a resource or for students to view in preparation for class discussion.

Concerns:

It would be beneficial to include the reference material (which appears in the videos) under a link in the YouTube channel. Instructors will want to provide an introduction or background information about the videos so that students fully understand their educational purpose.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: Videos run on any online format and include closed captioning. Relatively easy to find topics of interest as videos can be sorted by date and popularity; they also are organized in playlists. The "About" link presents helpful background information about the videos (content and purpose).
Concerns:: It would be beneficial if the channel supplied a bio for Dr. Lucas (e.g., professional background, academic accomplishments).

Other Issues and Comments:: A unique and creative exploration of human sexuality. The author is Dr. Don, long time professor of Human Sexuality – he has a Facebook page and is on Twitter, in addition to his YouTube site. Don Lucas, Ph.D. He is at Northwest Vista College, Phone: 210-486-4056 , Email: dlucas@alamo.edu Like us on Facebook: http://fb.me/5MIWeekly Follow us on Twitter @5MI_Weekly: https://twitter.com/5MI_Weekly
Creative Commons: