Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > PBS LearningMedia, AETN launch new digital education service with world-class content from public media, its partners
Posted 27 Jun 2011
To foster classroom innovation and engagement, the Arkansas PBS (AETN) today partnered with PBS to launch AETN/PBS LearningMedia (pbslearningmedia.org), a free service for all teachers, students and families in Arkansas, created in collaboration with PBS and WGBH, and their producing partners WNET and KET.
In addition to a rich public media library, AETN/PBS LearningMedia has content contributed from other publicly funded organizations including the National Archives, the Library of Congress and NPR, as well as content funded by NASA, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Education to deliver thousands of resources for use in the classroom and with home-schoolers.
AETN is thrilled to bring to Arkansas classrooms a unique video streaming service with AETN/PBS LearningMedia, AETN Executive Director Allen Weatherly said. We have listened to our teachers and feel confident that the quality services from AETN, PBS and PBS LearningMedia will be an important and vital addition to the myriad of services provided by AETN.
AETN is proud to give teachers, home-schoolers and families tools to enhance student learning. Simply put, AETN/PBS LearningMedia is fantastic. While the primary service will be free to all schools and teachers, AETN is actively seeking partnerships to support an enhanced version.
Delivering unprecedented access to a robust digital library aligned to Common Core State Standards and available to all preK-16 classrooms, AETN/PBS LearningMedia is the next generation in digital media platforms with high-quality content drawn from more than 1,500 public media producers, 350 local stations, such as WGBHs NOVA science series among many others, and a growing list of other contributors.
As Americas largest classroom, PBS and our local stations are helping to re-imagine classroom learning and is partnering with our producers and teachers to engage students to accelerate academic achievement, PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger said. PBS LearningMedia is a key part of the solution to one of the nations biggest challenges improving student progress to build our future workforce.
Beginning today, teachers and students in Arkansas have immediate access to more than 14,000 research-based instructional resources including videos, interactives, images, audio files, mobile apps, lesson plans and worksheets that can be used for lessons and homework.
Combining dynamic and engaging instructional content with professional development support, AETN/PBS LearningMedia empowers educators to create media-rich curriculum lessons that meet the needs of 21st century learners. Through AETN/PBS LearningMedia, teachers can:
• Quickly and easily find relevant resources, localized to their needs, to differentiate instruction for a diverse range of learners.
• Personalize the site by tagging resources and share ideas, recommendations and comments on how theyve used media assets in their teaching with their professional learning networks via email or social media tools, such as Facebook and Twitter.
• Develop class pages curated content lists for student viewing, feedback and instruction on interactive white boards and school-based intranets and other networking tools.
The AETN/PBS LearningMedia platform also offers a flexible infrastructure designed for customization and seamless media integration into existing services provided by state and local school district systems.
Currently, PBS LearningMedia is co-branding with 34 local PBS stations around the country, including AETN.
PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans from every walk of life the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches 124 million people through television and 20 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS premier childrens TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents and teachers most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet.
WGBH Boston is Americas preeminent public broadcaster, producing such award-winning PBS series as Masterpiece, Antiques Roadshow, FRONTLINE, NOVA, American Experience, Arthur, Curious George and more than a dozen other primetime, lifestyle, and childrens series. WGBH is a leading producer of online content and a pioneer in developing educational multimedia and new technologies that make media accessible for people with disabilities. Additional information is available at www.wgbh.org
The Arkansas PBS (AETN) is Arkansass statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit www.aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at www.aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).