Videotape/DVD Collections: Educational Video
Although often used
almost interchangeably, the terms educational (ETV) and instructional
television (ITV) refer to different types of video programming. Educational
video is any video programming that contributes to the teaching/learning
environment.
Many teachers and instructors use video as a regular part of their teaching. From traditional classrooms to health and business professional seminars, effective video productions can be found in every content area. In the past, separate production companies produced educational and popular films. Today many quality educational films are being produced by mainstream video developers.
PBS (Public Broadcasting
Systems) is probably the best known provider of educational video in
the 
classroom; however; many cable stations are increasingly involved
with programs for all ages.
For example, many college faculty and mental health professionals find Discovery Channel programs and series such as The Brain: Our Universe Within to be a valuable classroom resource. Another related Discovery Channel video series on mental illness focuses on the mysteries of these types of human disorder. View a video clip from Schizophrenia: Dark Voices , part of the Fires of the Mind series at Discovery Channel.
Quality video materials can be found across subject areas.
Health.
Surviving AIDS, living with Alzheimer's disease, and facing breast
cancer with humor are a few examples of educational videos related
to health.
These videos are intended to help people with specific diseases or
assist people working with others. Topics such as eating disorders,
ADD, and
dealing with diabetes are common in high schools. Pregnancy and childbirth
videos are also popular. For example, parents may want to explore
the
Lamaze class videos. Of course, you can also find videos on topics
such as 
CPR and first aid.
Each year, the American Library Association (ALA) produces a list of notable films for children and young adults. This is a good place to start. For example, Dying to be Thin is a PBS NOVA program produced by WGBH Boston. It's also available in streaming video online.
Social Studies. The ALA notable video Ancient Greece by Discovery Channel School is an example of the many history videos. In the area of geography, The Scrambled States of America is a lighthearted look at the states.
Science. From Egypt Eternal: The Quest for Lost Tombs to Celebration of Flight, National Geographic has long been associated with quality science video for a long time. In addition to feature films, they produce television series and work together with PBS on specials. The National Geographic website has a long list of options including Video and DVD programs.
Educators are encouraged
to look for materials that align with the National Science Education
Standards.
For example NatureWorks,
developed and produced by New Hampshire Public Television and
the Squam
Lakes Natural Science Center, is an award-winning 16-episode series
that focuses onhow animals and plants interact with their environment
including adaptation, communities, interdependence, and diversity.
English. Many books for children and young adults have been made into educational films.
Classroom videos are produced by a number of well-known producers. For example, Weston Woods works closely with Scholastic. Antarctic Antics is a book of penguin poems produced by Weston Woods and Scholastic. It's the winner of a number of awards including the Carnegie Medal.
Spoken
Arts Media also
produces literature based videos. Their programs are based on stories
such 
as a The
Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco and The Three Questions by
Jon Muth, based on a story by Leo Tolstoy.
Religious. VeggieTales are popular in Christian church schools. The Larryboy character now has a spin-off series.
General Public. Some videos are made for the general public, while others are designed specifically for classrooms. Schoolhouse Rock has been popular with the general public since the 1970s. These short videos have taught children everything from English to mathematics through catchy songs. The Schoolhouse Rock! Special 30th Anniversary Edition DVD is popular with all ages.
Popular educational videos can be found in many content areas such as math, science, and social studies. For example, the Standard Deviants collection from Cerebellum Corporation explores topics in physics, astronomy, math, Spanish, English and covers many school and college curricular areas. In the Standard Deviants series, a talented troupe of young performers make the topics interesting.
Educational
Television. From Sesame Street to Blues Clues,
many popular educational television programs are available on VHS and
DVD.
Government Resources. Many government agencies have free and inexpensive videos.
Free Materials. Some organizations provide free video materials. Sometimes they are good, sometimes not. Check the links below for examples. Or, do a Google search for "free educational videos".
- Catalog of Educational Materials from Video Placement Worldwide
- Free Educational Resources sponsored by ConocoPhillips from Karol Media - Science & Math
- Free Educational Videos About Birds and Nature sponsored by Phillips Petroleum Company from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Free Stuff for Teachers from Lisa's Freebies
- Free Videos & DVDs from Lisa's Freebies
- Killer Freebies & Deals - mostly junk, but a few good ones
- Women are Scientists from the National Institutes of Health's Office of Research on Women's Health and the Office of Science Education