Open-Source Resources: Videos

Video content has become a cornerstone of modern education, helping students connect with concepts in dynamic and memorable ways. Open-source video platforms provide educators with free, standards-aligned materials that bring subjects to life across grade levels. From science experiments to historical documentaries, open video resources give teachers the flexibility to engage learners through storytelling, real-world application, and visual demonstrations—all while respecting copyright boundaries.

PBS LearningMedia – pbslearningmedia.org

PBS LearningMedia is a trusted platform offering thousands of free, standards-aligned videos, interactives, and lesson plans for K–12 educators. While materials are available for noncommercial educational use, the site’s structured lesson integration and teacher guides make it particularly valuable for classroom instruction. Teachers can easily embed videos into digital learning environments like Google Classroom, use them as hooks for new topics, or pair them with provided discussion questions to deepen student understanding.

License: Free educational use with PBS Terms of Use (non-commercial). 

Features:

• Thousands of videos aligned with national and state standards.

• Includes interactive lessons, discussion questions, and teacher guides. 

Value for Educators: 

An excellent source for integrating multimedia into lessons; teachers can assign videos or embed clips in digital classrooms like Google Classroom or Canvas.

MIT+K12 Videos – k12videos.mit.edu

MIT+K12 Videos provides Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 licensed content created by MIT students to make STEM concepts accessible for young learners. The short, engaging videos cover topics like physics, chemistry, and engineering using real-world examples and simple language. These videos can serve as introductory lessons, virtual demonstrations, or enrichment tools for science instruction, making complex ideas tangible for elementary and middle school students.

License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 

Features:

• STEM-focused short videos produced by MIT students.

• Topics range from basic physics to environmental science. 

Value for Educators: 

Perfect for supplementing science lessons with engaging, real-world examples that simplify complex concepts for younger learners.

Public Domain/CC Video Collections (AACC OER Guide) – libguides.aacc.edu/oer/video

Public Domain and Creative Commons Video Collections, such as those curated by the AACC OER Video Guide, compile educational and stock videos that are free to use, remix, and adapt. Many are released under CC0 or CC BY licenses, offering flexibility for lesson creation and student projects. These clips are valuable for multimedia assignments, allowing teachers and students to legally edit or remix footage for presentations, digital storytelling, or instructional media.

License: Varies (Public Domain, CC0, CC BY, etc.) 

Features:

• Aggregated list of freely usable video sources (e.g., Pexels, Pixabay).

• High-quality stock and educational clips.

Value for Educators:

Useful for multimedia projects or video-based learning; teachers and students can remix footage for reports or creative assignments.

Conclusion

Incorporating open video resources into instruction allows educators to harness the power of visual learning while supporting equitable access to high-quality content. These tools make it easier to explain complex ideas, spark discussion, and accommodate diverse learning styles. By using openly licensed videos, teachers can design richer, more interactive lessons that inspire curiosity and deepen understanding across the curriculum.