What is Cable in the Classroom? Cable in the Classroom is the U.S. cable industry’s education foundation. Its mission is to foster the use of cable content and technology to expand and enhance learning for children and youth nationwide.
Since 1989, the cable industry has had a deep, broad, and consistent commitment to K-12 education. Working in partnership with and on behalf of the cable industry, Cable in the Classroom advocates for the visionary, sensible and effective use of media in homes, schools, and communities.
Learn more about Cable in the Classroom’s mission, outreach efforts and leadership.
How do I get started with Cable in the Classroom?
As an
Educator:
What tools & resources are available to me through CIC? Innovative use of technology and media can leverage the learning process dramatically. This Web site provides a staggering array of tools and resources that can help. The following information is designed to help you navigate what’s available here.
Find Video & Online Content for Classroom Use
Dive into the vast storehouse of video and online content here at Cable in the Classroom. It can help you and your students make meaningful connections to new information, reinforce previous learning, interact with other learners, and create original content.
Cable networks designate and air educational programs that are commercial-free, copyright cleared for a year or more. Cable networks also provide online content, including interactive learning experiences, and activities. Find programs and Web sites by subject, or keyword.
Experience the Power of Broadband to Enrich Learning
Cable in the Classroom has developed interactive examples that demonstrate the power of learning with rich content and broadband technology. Accessible, multi-sensory, content-rich and self-directed, these demonstrations are a lot of fun for both children and adults.
Windward: Outsmart the Weather in a Race Around the World
Set sail in a virtual, interactive sailing race around the world while facing all kinds of weather challenges. Windward was a 2006 Webby Award Nominee.
Shakespeare: Subject to Change
Explore how Shakespeare texts have come to be - from the printing process to how the works are performed on screen. Shakespeare was a 2004 Webby Award Nominee and an Adobe-Macromedia Site of the Day on July 13, 2003.
eLECTIONS: Your Adventure in Politics
Can you run a presidential campaign better than the pros? Try your hand at this free, online, 3-D game.
Project Cam: Collaborating with Webcams
Connect with other educators, students, experts - whoever - with a webcam and high-speed internet access. Peruse the available projects, or start your own!
Cable in the Classroom Magazine
This is Cable in the Classroom’s guide to education resources – online for free and/or in print for $27.95 per year (11 issues). Each includes articles, program listings, monthly taping calendar and more. Contact your local cable company’s education representative to find out if they are providing complimentary subscriptions to local schools in your area.
E- Newsletters
Sign up for one of Cable in the Classroom’s free electronic newsletters and be sure you always have the latest information on cable’s educational resources, media literacy, and news you can use.
As a Parent: What tools & resources are available to me through CIC?
Parents are essential to the success of their children’s education. And now more than ever, media and technology can be an important way for parents to encourage and develop their children’s learning. Here are tools and resources that can help.
Media Smart
Are you media literate? How about your students? Learn the basics of media literacy through our online primer, Media Literacy 101. Or download our two reports, “Think Critically about Media: Schools and Families in Partnership” and “Navigating the Children’s Media Landscape.” Consider sharing the information with parents of your students.
Video & Online Content
Discover video and online content that can help you and your child make meaningful connections to reinforce previous learning, interact with other learners, and create original content.
Cable networks designate and air educational programs that are commercial-free, copyright cleared for a year or more. Cable networks also provide online content, including interactive learning experiences, and activities. Find programs and websites by subject or keyword.
Parents: Control, Choice & Education
Grab some practical tips on how to help your children critically examine media and the large and growing place for it in our lives.
Learning with Cable
Experience interactive examples of the power of learning with rich content and broadband technology.
Newsletter
Sign-up for a free, monthly email from Cable in the Classroom and The National PTA. Each issue includes Media Smart tips for parents and caregivers and recommendations on TV shows and web sites that may be suitable for your family.
Parent & Caregiver Section
Today’s multimedia resources provide opportunities to engage children in learning anywhere and everywhere. These ten tips help you take advantage of cable’s educational resources at home with your kids.
As a home school parent: What tools & resources are available to me through Cable in the Classroom?
As a home school parent and educator, you can take advantage of Cable in the Classroom’s tools and resources, including all of Cable in the Classroom’s television and online resources. See “Parent” section above for all that is available to you.
For starters, if you have cable service, you can take advantage of any Cable in the Classroom cable television programming. And you can take advantage of the many online resources provided by cable networks, including interactive learning experiences, lesson plans, and activities. Find programs by subject, or keyword.
In addition, you may find the Parent & Caregiver section particularly helpful; it offers viewing tips and activities parents and children to do together.
Cable in the Classroom Publications
Cable in the Classroom’s publications examine the challenges, opportunities and implications of teaching and learning in today’s digital, multimedia, on-demand world. They offer thought-provoking articles, useful hands-on tips and tools, and spotlight the best cable and web programs for children.
Cable in the Classroom Magazine is your monthly guide to cable’s educational resources. It’s a great resource for K-12 educators, school library media specialists and parents. Each issue features creative, practical ideas for teaching with multimedia, along with guides to educational video programs and websites.
Threshold: Exploring the Future of Education is the quarterly journal for state, district, and national education policymakers and leaders. It features nationally-known experts, policymakers, leaders and thinkers offering provocative ideas, opinions, and research on a single topic. Each issue is produced in partnership with a leading education organization dedicated to that issue’s topic.
Cable in the Classroom Publications and Subscriptions
How can I change my subscription information? To change your subscription information for Cable in the Classroom Magazine (formerly Access Learning Magazine) or Threshold, call 1.800.216.2225 or .
My organization would like to reprint an article from Cable in the Classroom Magazine or Threshold. Do we have permission to do so? We grant permission to photocopy and distribute articles from
Cable in the Classroom Magazine (formerly Access Learning magazine) and
Threshold for nonprofit, educational purposes.
Details are available here.
How can I sign up for Cable in the Classroom E-Newsletters? By subscribing to Cable in the Classroom’s free electronic newsletters, you’ll always have the latest information on cable’s educational resources, media literacy, and news you can use.
Sign up here.
Cable in the Classroom Programming What is Cable in the Classroom cable programming? Cable networks, such as Discovery and The History Channel, air educational programs that are commercial-free and copyright-cleared for a year or more. (Programs can be recorded at school or at home).
Cable networks also provide online content, including lesson plans, stand-alone modules, and activities. Find programs and Web sites
by subject,
keyword, or conduct
an advanced search How do I do a search on your website for a specific program? - Go to the top of any or web pages and type in a keyword in the search box in the upper-right corner.
How can I find out if a program is re-airing? - Go to the search page. In the “keyword” box, type one or two keywords from the name of the program or series and click “Submit.”
- Visit the website of the network on which the show aired.
- Contact the cable network’s representative on which the show aired.
How can I buy a copy of program that will not be re-airing? - Check the online listing program detail; it will often contain a link to video purchasing information.
- Visit the website of the network on which the show aired.
- Contact the cable network’s representative on which the show aired.
How can I find out details of a program that has already aired? - Go to the search page.
- In the “keyword” box, typed one or two keywords from the name of the program or series.
- Select “Search Listing Archive (Previously Aired Programming).”
- Click “Submit.”
Is there a feature on your site to remind me to record a program? Yes. In fact, you can also have us remind you about television program and Web sites - and you can even remind a friend. Here’s how it works:
- Browse our listings to find the program you'd like to be reminded about.
- When you come to the television program detail, click on the "Remind Me" link or the "Tell a Friend" link under the date and air time.
- Do the same to be reminded about Web sites.
(Note: Reminders for television programs are sent three days before the program airs).
Where can I download a monthly recording highlights calendar? Each month, a selection of programs to view or record is put together on a user-friendly calendar. You’ll find it in the center-fold of each printed issue of
Cable in the Classroom Magazine or by downloading it from the online edition.
Or see our page on the Recording Highlights Calendar. Why don’t you designate grade-levels in Cable in the Classroom programs listings? Since many programs can be used across many grade levels, we think that decision is best left to educators. We're always aware that teachers are the professionals who know best about what will work in their classrooms and we try not to impose our judgments. It's always a fine line and we work to tread it mindfully.
Producers & Marketers We have produced a video series that we think Cable in the Classroom would be interested in purchasing and airing. Who do we speak with? Cable in the Classroom does not produce or air any of its own programming. Programming labeled as "Cable in the Classroom" is determined by our members, who are individual networks. For a list of cable network contacts, visit our
Cable Network Offerings page.
Copyright and Recording Rights Where can I find copyright and recording rights for a specific program? You can find the “Educational Recording Rights” in two places:
- In the subject-specific resource guides in each month’s Cable in the Classroom Magazine.
- In each of the program details, right under the air date and air time. Here’s how:
- Click on any of the subject areas in the Resources section.
- On the subject-area page that comes up, a program will be listed on the right side of the page in a blue box.
- Look in the middle-bottom of the blue box for taping rights information.
As a general rule, Cable in the Classroom-designated programs allow educators at least a one year copyright clearance. For information, visit the
copyright and recording rights page.
How long can I keep a program? That depends. If the program is a Cable in the Classroom program, then you can keep it for at least a year or more from air date. Check the online program detail for the precise amount of time. For more information, visit the
copyright and recording rights page.
Do I have permission to use a cable program in my classroom that is not a Cable in the Classroom program? This is where Fair Use applies. Fair Use allows the taping of programs for education purposes. For more information, visit the
copyright and recording rights page.
Re-Broadcasting Rights Can I re-broadcast Cable in the Classroom programming over my closed-circuit network system or local cable station? Re-broadcasting of cable programming over any system (cable, closed-circuit, satellite, Internet, etc.) is not allowed without specific permission from the cable network in question.
View list of cable network contacts.
Cable/High-Speed Services How can I find out how to obtain cable and /or high-speed internet service to my school or library? Contact your local cable company's education representative.
We are having cable difficulties in our building. Whom should I contact? Contact your local cable company's education representative.
Awards, Contest & Grants Does Cable in the Classroom give any awards for excellent work happening in education? In the fall of 2004, CIC launched its first annual Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards. This program recognizes policymakers, school teachers, community leaders, administrators, and/or community teachers who specifically make use of cable technology and programming. It also recognizes other innovative learning programs that are transforming education. Learn more about
Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards. Does Cable in the Classroom sponsor contests or provide grants? While Cable in the Classroom does not sponsor contests or provide grants, there are sources we can point you to. Check the various education foundations of technology companies, like Microsoft, Intel, Oracle, Cisco, and the like. Many of them support educational technology and infrastructure. Also, you may want to check out the newsletters from e-School News and The Public Education Network.
