Amazing online cinema archive for educators

The National Film Board of Canada — producer of such great films as Manufacturing Consent, Ryan, Jesus of Montreal, The Decline of the American Empire, The Big Snit, Lonely Boy, Manufactured Landscapes, Madame Tutli-Putli, Rocks at Whiskey Trench, Walltown – has announced an online tool for educators giving access to over 2,500 film titles along with expert analyses, interactive playlist capabilities, advanced browsing tools and study guides. The new educators package is called Campus, and is available by subscription. It is an innovation for teachers and no doubt bid for a new source of revenue for this beleaguered incubator and archive of cinematic excellence and innovation.

From the website:

“CAMPUS is designed specifically with educators in mind, offering easier access and better resources, to support over 2,500 Canadian productions, in both English and French, including 500 new titles added just for classroom use. It features new search functions: by subject, and soon, by age group. CAMPUS also enables educators to prepare clips in advance online―selecting excerpts, labeling them and adding comments and questions―while chapters and playlists make it easier than ever to present media in class.

The NFB has worked with teachers to develop resource descriptions and discussion starters that allow teachers to determine at a glance whether a film is a good fit for their classes. It’s also currently working with educators across Canada to develop additional study guides, online learning modules, educational playlists, virtual classroom experiences and more, to ensure CAMPUS is an outstanding resource for Canadian students.”

The NFB has a travelling road show offering workshops across Canada for educators:

February 1–3: Charlottetown and Moncton
February 9–15: Edmonton and Calgary
February 20–25: Winnipeg and Flin Flon
February 27–March 6: Whitehorse and Dawson City
March 8–15: Regina and Saskatoon

With more workshops to come.

For more information, e-mail c.sicondolfo[at]nfb[dot]ca.