YouTube is an amazing resource. Here, we explore how you can use it to maximum effect when revising for your CIPS exams. But beware! There are also some dangers of using this as an exam preparation tool, so read on to find out more.
How do I revise with YouTube?
As we know, YouTube is an amazingly accessible global resource that anyone with a PC or smartphone can tap into. All you have to do is start with the right search words and in an instant you’ll lots of helpful tutorials and media clips addressing key topics of study.
Many of our learners use YouTube as a complementary back-up resource. One learner plays YouTube clips while commuting to work, much like a podcast. He says it allows him to feel he’s making the most of non-productive time and keeping his mind turning over the core concepts.
Another listens to clips while preparing her family’s dinner. She says she is able to keep focused on complex theoretical concepts while undertaking relatively routine domestic activities and therefore maximising her productivity.
YouTube provides useful resources in an otherwise non-productive downtime. Learners tell us they like to allow the speech to “wash” over them almost subconsciously so that their brain is absorbing the information while they concentrate on other tasks.
So, Which YouTube resources are good?
CIPS provides a useful YouTube channel full of media clips and videos from various seminars and online events. It is difficult to navigate and at times you will find the materials slightly irrelevant to studying for your CIPS exam, but that wasn’t their purpose when setting up the channel (…it’s more of a marketing aid than an educational support).
There are hours and hours of high quality talks, lectures and presentations on all matter of procurement and commercial topics for you to indulge in, if you have the time.
What are the dangers of YouTube revision?
The biggest issue with random resources on YouTube is the lack of focus.
Very few of these channels offer resources that specifically address CIPS study modules and/or CIPS study themes. As a result, you get somewhat random exposure to various educational tutorials most of which are not aimed at a CIPS learner target audience.
With YouTube you also get recommendations of what else to watch, so it is very easy to move onto some other clip that is completely unrelated to your studies. One minute you are watching a video on tactical SWOT analysis, the next you could be analysing police SWAT tactics. It could be something even more extreme with partnering relationships or leverage…!
What can Cordie offer me?
Last month we started up our own YouTube channel. From humble beginnings of just 25+ clips, we are covering all of the main areas of study that you be exposed to during your CIPS studies.
Each clip has been produced to an extremely high production quality. They last between 3 and 7 minutes in length and just focus on the key headline detail needed for your exam. No extra marketing, no promotions, no unnecessary distractions!
Take a look at the following three highly popular concepts and tell us what you think:
Porter’s Five Forces of Competition
Each of these clips has been produced by one of our highly experienced CIPS tutors with a deep understanding of the theoretical concepts and the way in which CIPS as an Awarding Body looks to assess your knowledge and understanding in their exams.
Tell us what you think
Please drop us a mail or use the contact form at the bottom of this page to tell us what you think. We are planning plenty more clips to launch over the next few months, so let s know what you need most.
However you revise, we wish you well - and please don’t forget we are always here to help if ever you get stuck or need a listening ear. Good luck!