Each video series covers a range of topics within the subject theme. They can vary in the number of Film Titles, Film length, and copyright currency.
Academic SuccessThis five-part series, developed and tested by Dartmouth College, helps students master the learning strategies they need to succeed. Accomplished and challenged students can benefit from this introduction to key study tools. Presentations are short, concrete, and highly visual. 5-part series, 10-18 minutes each.
Academic Success: Smart Tips for Serious StudentsThe transition from high school to college is a lot bigger than many students realize. Help them make the most of their college academic experience with Academic Success—a six-part series filled with facts, hints, insights, and observations from experts in the field of education and from students who know the ropes. Topics include values and goals; time management; critical thinking and problem-solving; active listening and note-taking; researching, reading, and writing; and studying and test-taking. A viewable/printable instructor’s guide is available online. A Cambridge Educational Production. 6-part series, 10-12 minutes each.
Ask ThemWe now live in a world where feedback from the user is considered essential information, but how often are we asking students for input about their own education? Based on the popular keynote speech by educator, author, and speaker Myron Dueck, this series is a fun, humorous, and fast paced exploration of how asking students for their input radically transforms both student learning — and the dynamic between teacher and student — in amazing ways. Dueck contends that it's essential to ask students about their opinions and experiences as they relate to learning. In each episode, he talks to people from all walks of life — education experts like John Hattie and Lorin Alexander, teachers, doctors, and scientists — to show how simply asking for input is making all the difference in their situations. Most importantly, he talks to real students who make the case that they have much to share concerning their own understanding.
Communication EssentialsTalent, ambition, and great ideas won’t amount to much if they’re not supported by good communication. This four-part series helps high school and college students improve their communication skills in four critical areas: listening, speaking, writing, and reading. Viewers are challenged to improve their habits and aim for several concrete goals—such as the ability to actively participate in discussions and meetings, to craft effective messages in speech or text, to process and understand workplace communication, and more. Viewable/printable discussion questions are available online. A Coproduction of Films for the Humanities & Sciences and MotionMasters. 4-part series, 20–25 minutes each.
EssaycraftHaving to write essays is a daunting experience for most students. This series of short programs has been developed to help reduce those anxieties by showing how to do a great job of producing impressive essays. Written and presented by Dr. Neil Thompson, a highly experienced essay marker, independent verifier and external examiner, it covers some of the common mistakes made and offers practical guidance on how to make sure that you do what is required to get the best results.
Internet Research and Information Literacy: Effective Strategies and Cautionary TalesThanks to the Internet, a virtual cosmos of information is at our fingertips. But does more equal better when helpful and not-so-helpful content are equally abundant? How is online propaganda different from traditional propaganda? What solutions do we have to the growing problem of plagiarism? This series illustrates best practices for viewers who are learning to apply academic standards and scholarly research methods to the rapidly evolving online world. Heavy hitters from the media industry weigh in through expert interviews, while lively motion graphics help explain concepts and strategies throughout the series. In addition, each episode features three young-adult characters, brought to life through graphic novel–style animation, who struggle with and learn the right and wrong ways to navigate cyberspace. A viewable/printable instructor’s guide is available online. A Cambridge Educational Production. 3-part series, 19-22 minutes each.
Mastering the Art of Information LiteracyThis media literacy series teaches students how to critically review information presented and become masters at evaluating information in books, online, in the news, and information generated by AI. A MotionMasters Production.
Reading, Thinking, and Concept Development: A Professional Development SeriesThe purpose of this series is to illustrate how teachers and students can work together to teach students to construct meaning and apply ideas, build student competence for learning and critical thinking, help learners retrieve, communicate, and elaborate effectively on what they have learned, and determine how authentic assessment can be integrated with informed instruction. The programs, which introduce teachers of grades 3 through senior high from urban and suburban schools across the United States, model and discuss new approaches to instruction that help students to become strategic, motivated, independent learners. The series was produced by Eric J. Cooper, Executive Director, National Urban Alliance for Effective Education, for the College Board, with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Teaching guide also available (see item #435). 6-part series.
When Am I Ever Going to Use This?From entrepreneurship to word processing, this series addresses professional applications of CTE subject areas. Presented in a “teen-friendly” conversational format, it introduces students to real working professionals to learn how each skill has helped them to succeed.
College Life: Perspectives from Students and InstructorsWhat happens when college students are allowed to be completely honest about their learning environment? When they’re empowered to speak their minds about their professors, peers, tuition bills, and prospects for landing jobs in their fields? Answer: a revealing portrait, drawn from inside the world of the 21st-century campus, that will benefit parents, high school students, guidance counselors, and young people who are just beginning the college experience. In this documentary, students talk about the ups and downs of higher education and the costs of obtaining it at community colleges, state universities, and private institutions. Topics include diversity, the proliferation of digital tools and distractions, the rise of prescription medication abuse, gaining or lacking a clear sense of purpose in college, and the likelihood—or lack thereof—of finding fulfilling work after graduation. In addition, professors and business leaders discuss what they’d like to see in today’s college students and job candidates. (52 minutes)
The College Track: America’s Sorting MachineLearn more about the unintended consequences of educational tracking in public schools. See innovative model solutions for bringing these students back onto the college track with this timely three-part series. Hosted by Emmy Award-winner Andre Braugher, The College Track takes a penetrating look at the barriers to college faced by many students and showcases public schools and communities that are succeeding in dismantling those barriers.
Additional content includes a 20-minute overview of the series and excerpts from interviews with leading scholars and administrators covering key issues of equity and access to higher education.
These stories and examples will help you establish or enhance an all-around winning relationship between your educational community and the public it serves.
This series is designed to give students practical, science-based advice on a wide range of study techniques – from how to take better notes to how to develop positive study habits that enhance their learning.
EssaycraftHaving to write essays is a daunting experience for most students. This series of short programs has been developed to help reduce those anxieties by showing how to do a great job of producing impressive essays. Written and presented by Dr. Neil Thompson, a highly experienced essay marker, independent verifier and external examiner, it covers some of the common mistakes made and offers practical guidance on how to make sure that you do what is required to get the best results.
Get Organized! Poster and Video BundleLost backpacks, unfinished homework, missed carpools…disorganization isn’t just annoying—it can seriously jeopardize a student’s future. This video teaches young people the value of personal management skills, and provides tips and strategies for getting organized in several key areas: living space, school materials, study time, extracurricular activities, and social life. Dramatizing situations in which a group of teenagers have made themselves miserable through a lack of self-management, the program uses a lighthearted approach that engages young viewers, while driving home a serious message: Effective organizational tactics will be a valuable asset throughout your education and career. A viewable/printable instructor’s guide—complete with learning objectives, fast facts, vocabulary terms, discussion questions, student activities, and other features—is available online. Correlates to National Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences, National Educational Technology Standards, and Standards for the English Language Arts. A Cambridge Educational Production. (23 minutes)
Getting an Edge: Early AdmissionTo help improve the odds of being accepted by America’s most desirable colleges and universities, increasing numbers of high school students are getting a jump on the competition by applying for early admission. This ABC News program looks at the controversial process and contrasts it with Georgetown University’s nonbinding early action alternative. The marketing efforts of Georgetown—and of some of its would-be freshmen—are discussed. The weighty influences of college rankings and test scores are also addressed, as are unfair advantages of socioeconomic class and a deep ambivalence about the perceived advantages of race. (22 minutes)
On Your Own: Independent Living SkillsHelp young adults jump out of the family nest with this practical six-part series! Quick and to the point, each video focuses on a key area of independent living. Whether it’s finding the right apartment, managing cash and credit, stocking the pantry, making meals, doing housekeeping, or building a wardrobe that sends the appropriate message in every situation, On Your Own will leave viewers feeling more confident about making important life decisions as they prepare to take responsibility for their futures. Viewable/printable discussion questions are available online. A Coproduction of Meridian Education and MotionMasters. 6-part series, 17–25 minutes each.
Paying Your Way through CollegeTo get to college, good grades and high hopes will take a person only so far. Sooner or later the subject of tuition will come up, and no amount of wishing will make it go away. Fortunately, a little creativity and a lot of determination can pay off—literally. This video will help viewers understand four key financial aid sources: scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and student loans. The program also offers tips on earning extra cash and includes the “High School Road Map to Financial Aid,” an incredibly helpful schedule that spells out what to do and when to do it, starting with junior year. The key message? Don’t assume a college education is unaffordable. Inspiring! A viewable/printable reference resource is available online. A Cambridge Educational Production. (29 minutes)
Active Listening and Note-TakingLectures and labs are the heart of the college academic experience, and for students eager to make the most of them, active listening and note-taking are powerful learning tools. This two-section program explains how to create a bulletproof listening/note-taking loop that ensures deeper understanding and better recall. Pre-class reading, in-class participation, and post-class review are stressed. A Cambridge Educational Production. A part of the series Academic Success: Smart Tips for Serious Students. (10 minutes)
Barriers to Communication and How to Overcome Them 34:29 Barriers to Communication and How to Overcome ThemA closed door, an exasperated expression, a noisy workstation, a cultural misunderstanding—all of these are examples of “noise,” a general term for anything that gets in the way of effective communication. The key to overcoming communication barriers is to be able to identify and understand them. This program explains the various types of noise and details specific examples of physical, organizational, emotional, nonverbal, cultural, language-related or written barriers. Through expert interviews and creative vignettes, the video offers solutions to overcoming these common communication barriers. A co-production of Films for the Humanities & Sciences and MotionMasters. (34:29 min.)
Effective Listening Skills: Listening to What You HearThis important lesson discusses habits and traits that keep us from being good listeners and teaches improved listening skills with the D.R.I.V.E. process. Students learn the benefits of listening and master the skill by Deciding to listen, Reading all stimuli, Investing spare time wisely, Verifying what they hear, and Expending energy. Teach your students how to process the information that goes in one ear, and that information won’t have a chance to escape through the other!. One 42-minute video.
Media Literacy in the 21st-Century Classroom 40:16 Media Literacy in the 21st-Century ClassroomThe more digital technology becomes inseparable from our daily lives, the more chances corporate and political media have to manipulate young people—unless students are taught how to dissect and defend against that manipulation. This program helps educators instill media literacy through an exploration of its basic concepts as well as examples drawn from film and television. Defining media literacy in terms of access, analysis, evaluation, and creation, the video examines race and gender issues, embedded social cues, the prevalence of media bias, and concrete methods for questioning the objectives and studying the techniques of media. Well-known TV commercials are used as case studies. (40 minutes)
Presentations: When Am I Ever Going to Use This?In this video, students will learn essential skills for utilizing Microsoft PowerPoint. Watch to learn about the tools available to make a well-rounded presentation. Interviews from professionals and students show the real-world benefits of a polished presentation that will help both in school and later in a career. (13:41 min.)
Internet Know How tackles fake news: what it is and how to spot it. In this video you will learn how to search and compare news stories and identify credible sources. This program will also explain why it’s important to be aware of personal bias and the tricks that propagators of fake news use to get your attention.
The flood of information spilling across social networks into classrooms has led to cries for more “fact-checking,” but what exactly is that? How do you do it – especially if you’re trying to check something that happened decades ago? (7:04 min.)
Internet Research: What’s Credible?On the Internet, it’s incredibly easy, and fast, to research a topic with a few simple keystrokes. But it’s also incredibly easy to end up with unreliable and non-credible information that makes your research efforts fruitless. With an overwhelming abundance of options after doing an Internet search, how can you tell which results are reliable? In this video, viewers will learn strategies for narrowing down results and honing in on credible sources of information online. Experts such as college professors and media librarians offer advice, while students share their own experiences. A special section on one of today’s most popular research sites—Wikipedia—investigates whether it’s trustworthy or not for academic or professional use. A Coproduction of Films for the Humanities & Sciences and MotionMasters. (28:57 min.)
Plagiarism 2.0: Information Ethics in the Digital AgeFor a generation raised on the ideology of “open source” and the ability to quickly cut and paste, the concept of plagiarism may seem foreign or passé. And that, of course, can lead to trouble. This video examines the behaviors that constitute plagiarism, their consequences, and the best ways to avoid them. Showing how accidental copying as well as willful plagiarism can occur, the program lays out the dangers of cheating, then illustrates the pitfalls of nonattribution and patch writing while showing how to properly attribute and paraphrase a lengthy quotation. Copyright, trademark, and intellectual property concepts are clearly discussed, in addition to potential sources of noncopyrighted material. Common citation formats (APA, MLA, Bluebook, etc.) are listed along with the suggestion that the student confer with his or her instructor about them. Part of the series Internet Research and Information Literacy: Effective Strategies and Cautionary Tales. A viewable/printable instructor’s guide is available online. A Cambridge Educational Production. (19 minutes)
Read Beyond the Headlines 13:23 Read Beyond the HeadlinesForged pictures, manipulated videos, and deepfakes litter the internet. These elements have become rampant in our digital age. Don’t be caught in this web of false content! By watching Read Beyond the Headlines, you’ll understand how to quickly know the difference between distorted and genuine information.
Recognizing Online Propaganda, Bias, and AdvertisingWhile their motives aren’t always evil, people who bend the truth don’t usually do so for the greater good, either. The online world is no exception—in fact, it’s a paradise for purveyors of hype, pseudo-journalism, and intellectual snake oil. This video explores ways to identify bias and propaganda on the Internet and sift through the various influences, such as political or corporate interests, that may be behind some Web content. Spotlighting key aspects of propaganda and bias-driven writing, such as the use of glittering generalities, name-calling, or card-stacking, the program also presents important tips for differentiating between advertising and genuinely useful, scholarly material—a task made increasingly difficult by cleverly disguised sponsorship. Web savvy is further developed through discussions of URL suffixes (.com, .org, etc.) and what they indicate. Part of the series Internet Research and Information Literacy: Effective Strategies and Cautionary Tales. A viewable/printable instructor’s guide is available online. A Cambridge Educational Production. (21 minutes)
Researching, Reading, and WritingFaced with a mountain of research to conduct, reading to do, and papers to write, students must work both efficiently and shrewdly. This three-section program tells how to identify and cite reliable online and offline sources of information, carve textbook chapters into manageable chunks, and outline and revise papers—all elements that are essential to getting the job done well. A Cambridge Educational Production. A part of the series Academic Success: Smart Tips for Serious Students. (12 minutes)
This program examines the scientific method, looking at the process from reviewing the literature to formulating a hypothesis, designing an experiment, collecting data, and analyzing results. It discusses types of research design; mean, median, and mode; correlation; and reliability and validity. It also considers research ethics. (32:24 min.)
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