PBS LearningMedia vs Scholastic Watch and Learn Library

PBS LearningMedia is a free digital media service for educators and students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Its library contains more than 30,000 classroom-ready materials from PBS member stations and partners, including videos, images, interactives, lesson plans, articles and primary sources. Content aligns with state and national curriculum standards, and search filters include grade, subject, resource type, video length, accessibility supports and language. With an account, educators can browse by standards, save favorites, build lessons and create shareable folders. Users can also watch videos, complete assignments, search and share content. The platform integrates with Google Classroom, Clever and Remind. PBS says classroom use does not require permission, including distribution through Lesson Builder or those integrations. Printed pages must include the website URL and cannot be distributed to students for a charge. PBS says it will not sell student data or use it for targeted advertising, and describes technical, administrative and physical safeguards. A free account is required for all features.

Scholastic Watch and Learn Library is a streaming video resource for learners from PreK through grade 3. It offers hundreds of nonfiction videos with real-world footage on science, social studies and social-emotional topics. Spanish-language versions are available throughout. Closed captions support English learners and beginning readers, while a vocabulary builder and quizzes help students engage with and check their understanding of the videos. More than 20 Think Sheets help set a learning purpose and keep students focused. Scholastic describes use for whole-class instruction, small-group differentiation and anytime access. Schools can provide access through an IP address, a shared username and password, proxy authentication or a configured referring page. It is available on the web and iOS, macOS and Windows; requirements also list Chromebooks running Chrome OS, Windows 8 or later, macOS 10.14 or later, and iOS 12 or later. Schools whose firewalls block streaming may need to allow Brightcove URLs.