Discovering "Discovery Education"

Did you know....

Discovery Education has videos about almost every topic you would teach in a school classroom?
Discovery Education allows teachers to create folders where they can save videos they find useful?
Students can be given usernames and passwords so that they can complete class or individual assignments?
Teachers can add writing prompts to videos and assign these to students?
Quizzes over topics can be found by searching for a topic and can be created and assigned by teachers?

Before taking a class last week from a fellow teaching, I thought the only reason teachers use Discovery Education in their classrooms was to show videos.  I was so surprised to learn all of the other amazing uses for this great resource! 

Not only did I become aware of quite a few ways to for teachers and students to use Discovery Education, I also was able to start implementing some lessons in my classroom the next day.  That's how easy it is to use!  The first step is to purchase a license to use the program, which my district has already done.  After creating a username and password, you can add individual students to your various classes, start saving videos to "My Content," or create an assignment for the students to complete.  I was able to add three videos and create a class in less than hour! 

If you don't have a phenomenal fellow teacher willing to teach you how to do all of this, Discovery Ed has a "user guide" available in almost every area.  It provides clear step-by-step instructions that often include screen shots of what you'll be seeing throughout the process.

This tool isn't only for teachers though.  Librarians can find videos and lessons about teaching research or upload on-line book talks for share with teachers and students.  When collaborating with teachers, school librarians can also share content with other staff members. 

Discovering "Discovery Education" is easy to do and will add value to any school classroom or library!