Exploring The World via Explore.org

The Annenberg Foundation has created a non-profit, multi-media organization called explore.org, which features over 200 short, educational videos that make great educational aids in the classroom. The site offers a wide range of topics—from animal rights, health and human services, and poverty to the environment, education, and spirituality. Delivered in short, digestible bites, Explore films appeal to viewers of all ages, from children learning about other cultures for the first time to adults looking for a fresh perspective on the world around them.

When you click to watch a video or view a photo, there are icons below that bring you to related interviews, photos, research and a map. Videos and photos can be downloaded and the links shared, though videos can not be embedded. Included with the resources are related web sites and full-length films, books and articles.

You can search by keyword, or choose a country and/or a cause. There are 20 countries listed and 12 causes including, animals, children, disabilities, environment, music and spirituality.

Here is one where a man driving a camel along a rural road in India shares the secret to living a happy life. A transcript is available for this one too:

SOUND UP

00:00:03

Explore – India

00:00:09

CHARLIE: This is the way to travel through India. (INDISCERNIBLE BACKGROUND TALK)

00:00:12

[GRAPHIC - JAIPUR]

00:00:21

CHARLIE: You strike me as a very intelligent man.

00:00:23

INDIAN MAN: I’m an illiterate man. I don’t know what to say. I know how to eat my bread and drive this camel; that’s all I know.

00:00:32

CHARLIE: What’s the key to leading a happy life? Huh?

00:00:37

INDIAN MAN: The key to happiness is to choose happiness. [MUSIC PLAYS]

00:00:56

END OF FILM

There's a discussion area (login required) with a Question of the Month, general questions and threads. Participants are encouraged to give advice and engage in conversations about philanthropy and film-making.

During this time of year, when many classrooms will be studying holidays around the world and comparing cultural differences, this site offers some great resources in easy bite-size chunks for all grade levels. The only thing I see missing is lesson plans.

All are free for non-commercial use.

You are the Hope of the Future

I had an opportunity to meet Philippe Cousteau last week as part of a series of events recognizing our district's outstanding achievement in being on the forefront of using technology for instructional integration and for reaching the milestone of one million digital educational videos on Discovery Streaming. The School District of Palm Beach County is one of only a handful of school systems in the nation, and the first school system in Florida, to reach this milestone. Listening to Mr. Cousteau speak is truly a pleasure as he is engaging and his message of environmental defense is inspiring.

Mr. Cousteau is the 29 year old grandson of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau. He continues his grandfather's legacy by openly speaking and acting on behalf of the environment.

He was kind enough to pose for pictures and sign an autograph for the boys and girls in my 4th grade classes. I was excited to see that wrote "Mrs. Kolbert's Class, You are the hope of the future. Philippe Cousteau" because we've recently learned about ecosystems and the food web, with particular focus on how humans often negatively impact the environment, disrupting the ecosystem and the food web.

Over at my class blog, where I crossposted this blog entry, I pose this question to my students (and readers):

Can you explain what he means by "You are the hope of the future?"