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 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 an array of tools and resources that can help. The following information is designed to help you navigate what’s available here.
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.
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.
Shakespeare: Subject to Change
Explore how Shakespeare texts have come to be - from the printing process to how the works are performed on screen.
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.
Cable in the Classroom Magazine Archives
This is Cable in the Classroom’s guide to education resources.
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.
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.
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.
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 Publication Archives
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.
Cable in the Classroom Magazine is a guide to cable’s educational resources. It’s a great resource for educators, school library media specialists and parents. Each articles features creative, practical ideas for teaching with multimedia, along with guides to educational video programs and websites.
- View and download articles from the magazine archives.
Threshold: Exploring the Future of Education is a 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.
- View and download articles from the magazine archives.
How can I find out if a program is re-airing?
- 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?
- Visit the website of the network on which the show aired.
- Contact the cable network’s representative on which the show aired.
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.
Copyright and Recording Rights
Where can I find copyright and recording rights for a specific program?
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.
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.
Cable in the Classroom Publication Archives
Can I obtain a subscription?
Cable in the Classroom Magazine (formerly Access Learning Magazine) and Threshold are no longer being published. Please access the publication achives to
search for past articles.
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.
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).
