| Frequently Asked Questions |
1. What is C-SPAN Classroom? C-SPAN Classroom is a free membership service that offers information and resources to assist educators, and specifically Civics and U.S. Government teachers, in their use of C-SPAN's primary source, public affairs video. C-SPAN Classroom offers current, relevant standards-based video clips organized under six topic headings: |
 Principles of Government |
| U.S. Constitution |
| Legislative Branch |
| Executive Branch |
| Judicial Branch |
| Political Participation
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C-SPAN Classroom also offers other resources, such as PDFs and links, designed to enhance the teaching of these subjects.
You do NOT have to be a member to use C-SPAN television and online resources in your classroom, but membership has a variety of
benefits including:
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ability to view streamed video clips |
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ability to download video clips |
| programming updates |
| teaching ideas |
| educator links |
| access to our toll-free Educator Hotline |
| special offers |
| Fellowship and Grant opportunities |
2. How do I become a member of C-SPAN Classroom?
Teachers can enroll online for the free service. |
3. Who can join C-SPAN Classroom?
Members of C-SPAN Classroom are educators. This includes elementary through high school teachers, college and university professors, home school educators and district level administrators. Our resources are designed for middle and high school U.S. government and civics teachers, but teachers of other subjects and grade levels are welcome to join and customize the material for their classrooms. Some resources may only be made available to middle and high school social studies teachers.
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4. How much does C-SPAN Classroom cost?
C-SPAN Classroom is absolutely FREE! |
5. What will I receive by joining?
You will receive periodic e-mail updates designed for educators about C-SPAN
programs and other resources. Members are also eligible to apply for a C-SPAN Archives Grant or our summer
Teacher Fellowship. For special projects, we create and distribute
classroom posters free to members. Members have access to a toll-free number to
speak to C-SPAN Classroom staff about their individual needs and questions.
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6. After joining, what steps should I take to use C-SPAN with students?
You'll see that C-SPAN offers a wide variety of programs on every topic
in your curriculum--history, government, literature and more. Don't be overwhelmed.
Show a bit of C-SPAN LIVE to offer students a window into Congress, or show a quick
taped clip as a "current event" update, or to reinforce a research topic or curriculum
objective. In addition, C-SPAN Classroom offers a wide variety of resources targeted
specifically for Civics and U.S. Government teachers.
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7. If my school does not get cable, how can I access C-SPAN Classroom?
Many ways! You can:
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| Videotape it at home--it's
copyright-cleared for
classroom use |
| Have students bring in videotaped clips as homework |
| Ask a parent to tape C-SPAN |
| Access C-SPAN LIVE through our web site |
| Watch archived
C-SPAN programming
from our web site; we can help you troubleshoot any problems you may
have watching video online. |
| Purchase a videotape or DVD from the
C-SPAN Archives |
8. What other opportunities does C-SPAN offer educators?
Members have access to opportunities like the summer Teacher Fellowship
and C-SPAN Archives Grants.
In addition, C-SPAN works to ensure that educators tap into resources available
in your community through your local cable system and the C-SPAN School Bus. |
9. What is the C-SPAN Campaign 2008 Bus and how can I schedule a visit for my community?
The
C-SPAN Campaign 2008 Bus is a 45-foot mobile TV production studio
and media demonstration center, as well as a mobile classroom. C-SPAN works with
local able affiliates to bring, then "host" the Bus in communities.
If you want the C-SPAN Campaign 2008 Bus to visit your community, call your local cable
operator or contact
us with your name, grade level, subjects, school name, city
and state and we will forward your request to our Bus team.
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10. What is a C-SPAN Teacher Fellowship and how do I apply?
C-SPAN and the cable industry offer Middle & High School Teacher
Fellowships to teachers or media specialists who have demonstrated
creative use of C-SPAN Classroom. During the summer, the Fellows come to Washington,
DC for four weeks and work with C-SPAN Classroom staff to develop print, video and
online materials.
Each fall, applications are mailed to all C-SPAN Classroom members and to our cable
affiliates for distribution to educators in their communities. Members must be nominated
by their local cable system; applications are due in the spring.
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11. How can I get a C-SPAN network (C-SPAN, C-SPAN2 or C-SPAN3) in my area?
If
C-SPAN or C-SPAN2 are not carried in your area,
either phone your local cable company and speak to the person responsible for making
programming decisions or write a letter requesting that the C-SPAN network be included
in your cable programming. C-SPAN3 is available in a
limited number of homes, but you may also request this service from your cable operator. |
12. How do I know when a program is going to air or re-air?
Because C-SPAN covers events in their entirety, the C-SPAN television schedule
is dependent on the length of the events, such as U.S. House and Senate sessions.
However, as the schedule is confirmed, event, start times are posted online on our
schedule page. And, each day and evening, a schedule--that
is subject to change--of programs C-SPAN expects to air is set and announced via
C-SPAN Alert, a daily e-mail service.
You may also call C-SPAN's Viewer Services for more information about the schedule
at (765) 464-3080. |
13. How can I unsubscribe to Alert (see question #12)?
To UNSUBSCRIBE from C-SPAN Alert please send an e-mail to alert@c-span.org and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line. |
14. How do I purchase a videotape or DVD?
There are two ways to purchase a tape of a program that has aired on C-SPAN.
Order a videotape or DVD from the
C-SPAN Archives. Click on the appropriate category
and a list of results will be given.
Or, call 1-877-ON-CSPAN to speak with a representative from the C-SPAN Archives
for research assistance.
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15. How can I purchase hats, t-shirts, books, bags, etc?
Visit the clothing and books or bookbags areas
at the C-SPAN
Archives where you shop for some of these special products. |