Illinois Public television and radio stations are opening their archives to teachers across the state. A new website has more than 10-thousand videos, audio clips and images -- all free for teachers to use in their classrooms. The content ranges from "Curious George" to the science program "Nova." And covers everything from history and the arts to math and science.
Years ago, a teacher would have to request this kind of documentary on V-H-S cassette by mail. Backers of the website say it will help teachers respond to events in real time, like the morning after an earthquake.
WSIU Public Broadcasting Executive Director Greg Petrowich is with the Illinois Public Broadcasting Council. He says a teacher can go online and say, 'Let's talk about the earthquake we just experienced, and here's some information.' Instead of saying, 'Oh, next month I'll teach a session on earthquakes when I get the tape,' it's immediate. Petrowich says when something happens, teachers can go right to the archive and get all the content they want.
The website is not restricted to teachers and schools. Anyone can sign up for a free account. The website is at Illinois.PBSlearningmedia.org.
