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PBS Offers Free Classroom Resources for Digital Learning Day

• By Leila Meyer
• 02/03/14

PBS LearningMedia has released a collection of free teaching resources in celebration of the third annual national Digital Learning Day, which will take place Feb. 5.

The Digital Learning Day resources are called the "Be Inspired, Be an Innovator" collection, which includes videos, documentaries and lesson plans designed to help teachers inspire innovation in K-12 students. Videos in the collection cover topics such as smart bridges, Galileo's telescope, ethanol biofuel, green technology, plasma rockets and more.

The "Be Inspired, Be an Innovator" collection includes:

• A selection of video segments, audio files, lesson plans and guides related to innovation;
• An infographic of tips for cultivating innovative thinking in students;
• A video for teachers that explains what innovation means and what skills students need to develop innovative thinking;
• An hour-long documentary for students called "Extreme by Design"; and
• An "Extreme By Design" lesson plan with videos and activities for two lessons.

PBS LearningMedia is also inviting teachers to three separate virtual events being held in conjunction with Digital Learning Day.

The "Be Inspired, Be an Innovator" webinar will take place Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. Eastern. According to information provided by PBS LearningMedia, "speakers will address how 21st century skills apply to innovation and how these skills can be cultivated through targeted lessons and curricula."

The "I'm Inspired to Innovate!" Google+ Hangout On Air will take place Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. ET. This event is aimed at students and will feature PBS NewsHour correspondent Hari Sreenivasan, the creative director of EyeWire, and the 9-12 program manager from Code.org. They will provide students with hands-on tips and stories intended to inspire students "to set goals and become the next generation of innovators."

"Where Policy Meets Practice" will take place Feb. 5 at 2:30 p.m. ET. This moderated Digital Learning Day discussion with district leaders from Talladega County, AL will be simulcast from the Library of Congress.

Digital Learning Day is a national campaign to promote digital literacy and spotlight successful instructional technology practices in the classroom. The event is organized by the Alliance for Excellent Education with support from more than 50 national partners.

Further information about the "Be Inspired, Be an Innovator" collection can be found on the PBS LearningMedia site, and more information about Digital Learning Day can be found on the event's site.