Scholastic Watch and Learn Library vs TED-Ed

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.

TED-Ed is TED’s youth and education initiative, with a web library of video-based lessons arranged by subject and age. Educators can create lessons around TED-Ed Animations, TED Talks, or YouTube videos, adding multiple-choice or open-ended questions, resources, and guided or open discussion forums. Lesson creators can monitor student progress and view answers. Published lessons receive unique URLs, but are not shown in TED-Ed site search or indexed by search engines. Users can organize lessons into themed collections, and TED-Ed Explorations are interactive experiences created with other organizations. The Student Talks program offers customizable activities for educators working with students ages 6–18; approved educators receive access to its virtual learning platform for 12 months and must reapply to renew. Students must be at least 13 to create accounts. Lessons can be accessed offline through partner offerings Endless Key and Kolibri. YouTube videos selected for custom lessons have not been filtered or vetted by TED-Ed, so unfamiliar videos should be reviewed. The service is free on the web.