Registration Questions:

I can't see the "Register Now" button

First, reload the page. If the problem persists, empty the cache and history in your browser and reload again. Please also check to make sure that:

(1) The web browser you're using is up-to-date. We recommend Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and version 7 or higher of Internet Explorer. (Internet Explorer 6 should work, but you may experience some design degradation.)

(2) JavaScript has not been disabled on your computer.

(3) Your computer has the most up-to-date versions of the necessary plug-ins. Download them for free at the following websites:

Flash: http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/

Quicktime: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/

Shockwave: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/ (Older Shockwave interactives may not be playable on all current computers)

(4) No firewalls are blocking access to Teachers' Domain or its resources.

If you follow the recommendations above but still experience technical difficulties, send us a message at TD_Contacts@wgbh.org describing your computer and browser software and what's happening as specifically as you can, including any error messages you're receiving when the problem occurs. A screenshot (MAC: command + shift + 3; PC: Print Screen button) is also very helpful to our technical team.

I'd like to register for Teachers' Domain

Click the "Register Now" button on our homepage. Create a username and password for your account and be sure to include your email address. During the registration process, we ask you to choose a school or organization so that the appropriate state standards appear when viewing our resources.

I forgot my username or password

Click the "Forgot Your Password?" link under the password entry box and enter your sign-in name or email address. We'll email you a link that allows you to reset your password. Check your email and reset your password promptly because the link expires after 5 hours. When you've reset your password and entered the site, find your username (if you've forgotten it) by clicking on "My Profile."

I don't have a zip/postal code to register

If your country does not use postal codes, enter any number in the zip/postal code box. Feel free to type in 02135, the WGBH zip code. (The code will be ignored.)

I can't find my organization

Make sure you search by zip code and double-check the spelling of your organization. If you still can't find it, click the "Help, I don't see my organization" link and register your organization.

My school is not listed correctly

If your school or organization name is listed but there is an error (e.g. your school has been renamed), please register with that organization, but send a message to TD_Contacts@wgbh.org to let us know what should be corrected.

The site won't accept my school selection

First, reload the page. If the problem persists, empty the cache and history in your browser and reload again. Please also check to make sure that:

(1)  The web browser you are using is up-to-date.  We recommend Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and version 7 or higher of Internet Explorer.  (Internet Explorer 6 should work, but you may experience some design degradation.)

(2)  JavaScript has not been disabled on your computer.

If you follow the recommendations above but still experience technical difficulties, send us a message at TD_Contacts@wgbh.org describing your computer and browser software and what's happening as specifically as you can, including any error messages you're receiving when the problem occurs. A screenshot (MAC: command + shift + 3; PC: Print Screen button) is also very helpful to our technical team.

I want my students to use the site

Students 13 or older can create their own registration. Parents or teachers of students younger than 13 can create an account for them. (Provide the adult's email address.) We don't recommend that students sign into a teacher's account because it gives them administrative powers over that teacher's folders. A teacher can also create a generic sign-in for students if you don't intend to have them use folders or groups, or save their work in self-paced lessons.

I'm not affiliated with a school

Anyone can use Teachers' Domain for educational purposes—registration is quick, easy, and free. During the registration process, we ask you to choose a school or organization so that the appropriate state standards appear. If you're a homeschool user, choose an organization that accredits your work. If you're a parent, select your child's school. If you're not affiliated with a school or other academic organization, register your organization.

I'd like to use the site without registering.

Many of the people and organizations who provide content to Teachers' Domain require us to aks users to register. To give you the opportunity to take a "test drive" before deciding to register, you may view 7 resources without registering. By registering you'll be able to save resources to folders, rate and comment on resources, create a public profile, and view your own state academic standards correlations.

Navigation Questions:

I want to search the site

To search for a resource, enter a keyword relating to the topic in the search field and click on the "Go" button. You may also browse our content by clicking on any subject on the homepage.

I want to narrow my search

After getting search results, add filters to refine your search by grade level, content topic, media type, permitted use, and accessibility features.

I want to save my search

Resources can be saved in folders. Click the "Save to a folder" link under the image on a resource page. Choose a folder and click "Save." Please note that you must be signed in with your username to use this option. You can also bookmark a search results page.

I want to set up and organize my own folders

If you're signed in, you can always save resources to the default folder, "My Resources." To set up additional custom folders, click "My Folders" at the top of the home page; click "Create a new folder" and follow the prompts. You can add up to 50 folders. They appear in the order in which they were created.

I can't see a folder I've created

First, reload the page. If the problem persists, empty the cache and history in your browser and reload again.

I want to put a lesson plan in a folder

You can either add a link to a lesson plan in one of your folders (Click "Save to a folder" on the lesson plan page.) or you create a new folder that consists of the lesson plan page as well as a list of all the resources referenced in the plan (Click "Save this lesson plan as a folder.").

I want to switch to a different edition of Teachers' Domain

Teachers' Domain has several customized editions. The edition available to you when you sign in (your default) will be based on the location of the organization in your profile. For example, if the institution in your profile a school in New York, you'll automatically sign in to the "VITAL on Teachers' Domain" edition. If your institution is in a state without a custom edition, you'll sign in to the K-12 Teachers' Domain Edition. There is also a College Edition for post-secondary use. All editions are available through www.teachersdomain.org.

Switch between editions by clicking on the "Change Editions" link at the bottom of any page. The edition you're using when you sign out or otherwise leave Teachers' Domain becomes your default edition for your next sign-in.

Technical Issues:

I'm having difficulty viewing media

Check to make sure that you have an up-to-date browser (Chrome, Firefox, and version 7 or higher of Internet Explorer.). You'll also need the latest versions of QuickTime and Flash plug-ins installed. These plug-ins can be downloaded for free. Click on the appropriate link to download:

http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/

Technical difficulties could also be related to your Internet connection, specifically firewalls that may be present if you're using a computer in a public space or school. Contact your technical support person to troubleshoot further.

I want to make a video full screen

Most videos are encoded to play in both standard and full-screen modes. If you're watching a streaming version of a video, click on the rectangular "full screen" icon on the bottom right of the video player. (Some older videos in QuickTime won't display this option.) If you're viewing a video that you've downloaded, you can open it in the downloaded player and use the full-screen icon. Otherwise, you can open the video in your computer's video player and use that player's controls.

I can't download video clips

Unfortunately, not all videos have the legal rights to be downloaded. We make as many as possible downloadable.

I want to embed a clip from Teachers' Domain into a presentation

Yes, you can if the video is available for sharing. Download the video and then use an application like PowerPoint or Keynote to add it to your presentation.

I want to find resources that are available with captions

Nearly all videos placed on Teachers' Domain by WGBH are captioned. Some from other producers are not, because of the production expense. Wherever possible we've provided transcripts if we can't provide captions.

I can't open an .rtf file

Microsoft Word or another word processing application is needed to open some .rtf files on our site. Use an Internet browser that allows you to choose the application when you download the file, or save it to your hard drive and then open it in the application.

I want to show media but don't have Internet access in my classroom

Download the media to your desktop wherever you do have access to the Internet. Then you'll be able to show media without a live Internet connection. Please note that not all resources are downloadable; filter by "Permitted Use" to find those that are.

Sharing Resources:

I want to share resources with a group

Click on "My Groups." Then click "Create a new Group" and follow the prompts to set up a group and give them access to your folders. You'll need to share your Group ID Number with the people you invite to join, or you can make your group public on your profile page.

I want to put a link to Teachers' Domain on my district's website

Thanks for helping us spread the word! If you'd like to link to our content for educational, non-commercial purposes, please feel free. Contact us directly at TD_Contacts@wgbh.org for help with linking your site to Teachers' Domain. We're happy to supply you with text and logos.

I want to organize a Teachers' Domain workshop for my school district

We'll support you however we can - in person, by phone or via Webinars. To get started, check out our "Introduction to Teachers' Domain Workshop" (http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdtrg10.workshop.tdintro/) and contact us to discuss your needs: TD_Contacts@wgbh.org. We're happy to help.

I want to add my own resources to Teachers' Domain

You can upload your own media to your personal folders to share with those in your groups! Click "My Folders" and then "Upload Media."

As a rule, we don't accept submissions for public distribution. Content is largely produced by WGBH, Boston's PBS station, and other PBS stations. We also partner with other organizations and funders to add digital media content.

I want to give feedback on a resource or report an inaccuracy in a background essay

Our media and background essays have been carefully reviewed by content and curriculum experts. However, if you believe that there are errors or inaccuracies, we appreciate your feedback. Please email us at TD_Contacts@wgbh.org.

Professional Development:

I want to view the course catalog

You can view our entire catalog through the "Online Courses" link on the lower left side of the Teachers' Domain home page beneath "Professional Development."

Also, visit PBS TeacherLine to view current course offerings and enroll.

I want to enroll in a course

Teachers' Domain online courses are offered through PBS TeacherLine. Contact PBS TeacherLine with specific questions at 1-866-864-0828 or pbsteacherline@pbs.org.

I'm interested in a course schedule

Courses are offered quarterly and an annual schedule is available at: http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/catalog/. Contact PBS TeacherLine with specific questions at 1-866-864-0828 or pbsteacherline@pbs.org.

My district wants to run a Teachers' Domain course

Courses can be loaded onto local Moodle, Blackboard or other LMS platforms. Contact Carolyn Jacobs, 617 300 3640 for further information.

I want to earn graduate credit

It's possible to get graduate credit for these courses through a select number of accredited colleges and universities, such as Indiana University and Central Michigan University. These institutions require an additional fee that must be paid at the time of enrollment. More information is available at: http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/support/article/48/.

I want to earn professional development units towards my licensure

Yes, that may be possible, although requirements vary from state to state. Check with your district office and visit http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/ for more information.

I'm interested in online courses for K-12 students

We don't offer any at present. Our current courses are for pre- and in-service K-12 teachers.