| March 2, 2016 |
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200 New Accessible Videos for March!
 Curiosity Quest is the upbeat PBS series that explores what viewers are curious about. In each show, host Joel Greene answers viewers' letters of curiosity by taking the audience on location for an unscripted, hands-on, educational exploration. Grades 2-6.
So when did human toolmaking begin, and why? And what does the use of tools reveal about the evolution of human ancestors? Paleoanthropologist Tim White reveals the answers in The Tool-Making Animal. Grades 7-12.
Nourish Short Films are fifty-four clips telling the story of food and explores such themes as farm to fork, food and health, cooking and eating, edible education, and food and community. Speakers include best-selling author Michael Pollan, healthy food advocate Anna Lappé, British chef Jamie Oliver, pediatrician Dr. Nadine Burke, eco-chef Bryant Terry, and Edible Schoolyard founder Alice Waters. Grades 7-12.
 Great Transitions reveals the fascinating stories of major transitions in the history of life on Earth—from fish that gained the land, to reptiles that took to the air, and primates that walked on two legs. This trilogy features leading evolutionary paleontologists as they canvas for rocks of the right ages, discover transitional forms, and reconstruct historic environments of early life forms. Grades 7-12.
Popped Secret: The Mysterious Origin of Corn tells the story of the genetic changes involved in the transformation of a wild grass called teosinte into corn. Evidence from genetics supports archeological findings pinpointing corn’s origins to a very particular time and place in Mexico. Grades 9-12.
 Animated Life: Pangea is an animated short film that tells the story of Alfred Wegener, a German astronomer and atmospheric scientist, who came up with the idea that continents once formed a single landmass and had drifted apart. During Wegener’s time, the idea was met with hostility. Grades 7-12.
In The Biology of Skin Color, Dr. Jablonski explains that the variation in skin color that evolved since human ancestors migrated out of Africa can be explained by the tradeoff between protection from UV and the need for some UV absorption for the production of vitamin D. Grades 10-12.
 Science Nation is a series of over 100 short videos from the National Science Foundation that takes an engaging look at the breakthroughs and possibilities of new scientific discoveries about our planet, universe, and ourselves. Grades 7-12.
Stanford biologist, geologist, and environmental scientist Liz Hadly has been studying biodiversity in Yellowstone National Park for 30 years. In Liz Hadly Tracks the Impact of Climate Change in Yellowstone, she demonstrates different ways in which climate change is impacting the park’s ecosystems. Grades 7-12.
In this series, reporters interview Scientists and Engineers on Sofas (and Other Furnishings) about their life, work, and passion to use science and technology to solve modern problems. Grades 10-12.
Discovery Institute’s newest documentary Privileged Species presents compelling evidence that the Earth is designed not only for life, but specifically for human life. The film, featuring Michael Denton, takes a look at the special properties of carbon, water, and oxygen that make human life possible, and the unique features of humans that make us truly privileged on this earth. Grades 10-12. |
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HERSTORY: Celebrating Notable And Ordinary Women Across The Curriculum
The celebration of Women’s History first began in Europe and was celebrated on March 8, 1911 as International Woman’s Day. The recognition of women’s contributions to society was expanded to a month in 1987 by the United States Congress. The purpose of Women’s History Month is to take time to remember the contributions of notable and ordinary women.
Resources abound for parents and educators as they seek to incorporate the stories of successful women into everyday lessons. Several government agencies have combined their resources to help teachers incorporate lessons about Women’s History Month across the curriculum. Also, The National Women’s History Project provides a yearly theme and resources. The 2016 theme is “Working To Form A More Perfect Union: Honoring Women In Public Service and Government.”
The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) has resources available as well to help parents and educators tell “Herstory” across the curriculum. For example, The National Baseball Hall of Fame is celebrating Katie Casey and her contributions and offers a thematic unit which can be used in conjunction with our video Players In Pigtails. Science teachers can easily integrate our video Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors?, and English teachers may find the following video beneficial: No Job For A Woman: The Women Who Fought to Report WWII. These titles highlight a few of the captioned and described DCMP media items that parents and teachers can use to help inspire female students to strive and achieve their dreams. |
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International Listening Month: Listening is Learning
 March is International Listening Month. We recognize the month through our Listening is Learning campaign, designed to remind everyone that description on videos is vital for students with visual impairments and can improve the viewing experience and increase learning opportunities for everyone.
Use of described videos offers public school teachers the opportunity to reach their entire class, including students with low visual awareness and those who are unable to gain meaning from standard video presentations due to learning differences or lack of proficiency in the English language. Learn how descriptive video expands the effectiveness of educational videos and appeals to diverse learners.
Help spread the word about this new way to promote literacy and learning! Order your Listening is Learning kit, with posters, brochure, certificate, and lesson guide for your classroom, library, or office. |
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Learning More About Description and How to Find TV Programs, DVDs, and other Media That Have It
 Does “Listening Is Learning” (see feature above) make you curious about how to locate described DVDs, television programs, or movies at theaters? Or do you want to learn more about description or how to do it? Described video is an important part of life for millions of adults and students, and is gradually becoming more common as we strive to make all media accessible to everyone. Below are important resources to satisfy your curiosity!
FINDING DVDs, TV PROGRAMS, INTERNET VIDEOS, AND MOVIES (AT THEATERS) WITH DESCRIPTION
DCMP is the source for described educational videos, available on DVD and on-demand, including accessible television programs. But for adults with a visual impairment and others who do not qualify for DCMP membership, here are some helpful resources:
LEARNING ABOUT DESCRIPTION AND CREATING IT
The DCMP has numerous resources that provide information and background, and you can browse a clickable list or overview guidelines for how to produce description. Additional sources of information include:
- The DigitalGov website helps those “...in agencies working on providing digital services and information to the public.” You may be a beginner in learning about this accessibility feature and the YouTube video Description Explained will be helpful. Learn more by reading the webpage 508 Accessible Videos – How to Make Audio Descriptions.
- YouDescribe allows anybody, anywhere to contribute description of an existing YouTube video and let a visually-impaired viewer check it out right away. Learn the YouDescribe basics as developed by the Video Description Research and Development Center (VDRDC).
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Quick Hit
Free Online Training for Interpreters
 Pepnet 2 is offering training for interpreters in their popular QuickClasses, including "Interpreting for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals with Additional Disabilities" and "Ethical Considerations for Interpreters." Most classes are pre-approved for RID and CRCC continuing education credit. Space is limited, so register now!
Remember that the DCMP has numerous resources for ASL interpreters, such as our Educational Interpreting Series. Plus, members can choose from 86 Signs of Development Interactive Workshops to earn Continuing Education Units (CEU). All are available at no cost to DCMP members. Interpreters and interpreters-in-training can apply for DCMP membership now!
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The DCMP has