Imagine a free website you can log into to find stellar programming specific to your class needs. This is what PBS offers on its PBS LearningMedia™ website. With ever-expanding offerings, the site is easy-to-use and fun for site users.
How I Use PBS LearningMedia™ as a Homeschooler
As a homeschooler, I am used to scrounging the Internet for lesson supplements. I frequently find great material for educators, then discover that I have to be connected with a "real" school.
When Rob Lippincott, PBS Senior Vice President for education walked me through the free PBS LearningMedia™ website offerings, he treated me with the same respect I would expect if I were a certified teacher. Lippincott discussed the ever-growing number of homeschoolers and was pleased to offer content to assist in childhood education.
From The Voyage of Zheng He I to the Golden Crown Spelling Bee
The PBS LearningMedia™ is very simple to use. Simply log in with your username and password, and you are set to browse. Search by subject and/or age group and curriculum standards. Filter through the results to see what fits your lesson best. You can add the material that appeals to you most to your "My Favorites" folder.
Pick short videos to accompany lessons or select interactive materials for the students to manipulate. This PBS website offers materials in Spanish, English, and Navajo. Currently, the website offers over 14,000 media assets. It continues to add to its content.
Utilizing Local PBS Stations
One reason you sign into a special account is so you can access materials specific to your area. Local PBS stations work as point-of-delivery. In the future the site hopes to offer educational apps for educators.
PBS hasn't earned its reputation as one of the best providers of educational content for children by resting on its laurels. It continuously works on keeping its programming current. The creators of this site interact with educators, tweaking and adding content per educator recommendations and suggestions.
In our own schoolroom, I appreciate the fact that I can prepare a lesson then look up supplementary materials easily. My son enjoys taking a break from the textbooks, learning visually and interacting with his media. We use the PBS LearningMedia™ to introduce lessons and to wrap-up lessons as a review. Our biggest complaint with the site is that it offers so much interesting material, it's hard to break away from it.
Christine Pollock - Christine Pollock loves to tell people that she watches TV for a living - a true fact that’s also appreciated by her ...
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