Top 10 Educational Media Websites of 2017
Our TOP 10 Educational Websites are all recommended by multiple teachers, home educators, and homeschool parents through various feedback channels. All sites have received our Purple Stamp of Approval that honors exemplary websites/apps that offer quality, innovative, unique, cost-effective, or significant value to teachers, educators, and homeschooling families. None of these websites paid to be on this list. We hope you enjoy browsing through our list and discovering new sites that can improve your homeschool in the upcoming year.
Netflix
Over the last 10 years, Netflix has proven to be a staple in most homeschools. Netflix is the standard-bearer in online streaming although sites like Hulu and HBO have been rapidly innovating and improving. A hidden bonus of using Netflix is that several Facebook groups are dedicated to sharing the educational materials they uncover on Netflix, which saves time and increases value for the rest of us. Test it out with a free first month.
PBS Learning Media
PBS LearningMedia offers over 100K highly regarded, top quality resources for educators and teachers that will inspire and motivate students. PBS LearningMedia for Students allows learners of any age to create their own educational experiences by engaging directly with powerful, innovative content. The teacher manages the material, choosing targeted and innovative content for the student.
Discovery Education
Homeschools that love media and videos love Discovery Education. Discovery Education provides streaming access to a huge number of categorized/organized educational videos, clips, and media. The videos come from a number of sources including the Discovery Channel, BBC, NEST, and Scholastic. Additionally, Discovery Education gives teachers and educators the capacity to design lessons and create quizzes. Most homeschoolers reported they use the Plus subscription.
FieldTripZoom
FieldTripZoom for homeschools is truly a first-of-its-kind. They provide live streaming for hundreds of live events and field trips. Their streaming schedule is organized around the annual academic observance calendar. Although homeschooling, by its very nature, allows for flexibility and independence to travel, parents have said that FieldTripZoom lets them attend events and museums that would be difficult or unrealistic to ever visit. New homeschools can attend 2 events for free just to try out their service. Access to their streaming is available on a price per event basis or yearly subscription.
Curiosity Stream
Curiosity Stream is a favorite of homeschools that teach primarily through various media sources, documentaries, and videos. Subscribers will gain access to exclusive content from the world's best filmmakers plus originally produced videos from Curiosity Studios (almost 800 titles). Curiosity Stream has a free month trial and is also available as a channel on Amazon Prime Video.
Flocabulary
Flocabulary is truly one of a kind. Flocabulary is a web-based learning program for all grades and subjects that uses educational hip-hop music to engage students and increase achievement. According to our reader's testimonials, some students have made more progress after a week of Flocabulary than in 3-6 months with other (similar) programs. And although it was not specifically designed for students with learning disabilities, homeschools have successfully used Flocabulary for these students. Listen to some of the free sample videos to get a better understanding of the style, and take advantage of the free two week trial to see all of the content.
BrainPOP
Our home educators love BrainPOP because it's an engaging program that helps students grasp concepts and gain a deeper understanding of what they are being taught. BrainPOP is a go-to source when parents are struggling to explain something. Parents and teachers can watch the BrainPOP video with the student and learn how to explain the subject on the student's level. BrainPOP also does a great job of maintaining student attention, which can be challenging -- especially for certain subjects. Seeing it through the video makes it more real to them. Go to BrainPOP and see for yourself.
TED Education
TED Education project (TED-Ed) is an education initiative under the TED umbrella that produces short video lessons worth sharing. TED-Ed also provides a platform for teachers and educators to create lessons around any TED talk, TED-Ed original, or YouTube video. Most homeschools that incorporate YouTube channels into their lessons, curricula, or schedules are subscribers to the TED-Ed channel. The caliber of TED talks is such that some homeschoolers are encouraged to watch any TED talk they want and as often as they want! TED videos are available for streaming on every major device.
Amazon Prime Video Streaming
Our homeschoolers reported that Amazon Prime Video Streaming is almost as ubiquitous as Netflix in their media/supplement toolboxes. They also say, "Amazon prime video streaming is amazing! There is so much content for learning!" In addition to the abundant subject matter that comes with Amazon Prime Video, Amazon offers additional channels that can be purchased on an individual basis, such as The Great Courses, Curiosity Stream, and History Channel Vault.
The Kids Should See This
The internet is so full of amazing content, it's often hard keep up with or discover what's out there that educators can use. That's where The Kids Should See This (TKSST) comes into play. TKSST helps connect busy parents, homeschools, and educators with a collection of short videos that can start conversations, spark questions, & inspire offline exploration for all ages. All of the videos are hand-picked and seek to draw out wonder, enthusiasm, and “wow!” moments from the viewers. Although TKSST has covered videos about every topic imaginable, there is special focus on science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Honorable Mention - Instructables
Not only can Instructables teach you just about anything, they also support teachers by providing free Premium Memberships and awesome project ideas for the classroom.
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Last modified: January 2, 2017
