BY JOHN KIESEWETTER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
As kids go back to school, it's time for parents to do their homework too.
With a little effort -- getting past the blinking 12:00 and learning to program your VCR -- families can tap into the commercial-free "Cable in the Classroom" educational programs on many cable channels.
Teachers have known for years about the early-morning repeats of Nick News, Mr. Wizard's World, Biography, ESPN SportsFigures, CNN Newsroom and other shows.
More than 540 hours of programming are offered every month by 38 cable networks, part of the cable industry's $420 million public service initiative.
But most parents don't realize they can tape great "Cable in the Classroom" shows at home on CNN, Discovery, A&E, History, ESPN2, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, Learning, Weather and other channels.
"It's not only a great source of non-violent, commercial-free programs that teachers can use in the classroom, but it's a great way to find quality programming for the whole family to watch together," says Megan Hookey, executive director of the non-profit cable project based in Alexandria, Va.
"It's also a great way to tie home viewing into a child's school work in a fun way," she says.
The overnight service started in 1989, along with a campaign by cable system operators to provide free cable service to nearly 78,000 public and private schools (including 393 Southwestern Ohio schools in the Time Warner service area here).
Cable channels give up 30 to 60 minutes of infomercials, or low-rated shows, to repeat programs intended to be taped by educators. The commercial-free "Classroom" version of a one-hour show runs about 44 minutes, a perfect length for most class periods.
"Teachers told us that if video was used in the classroom, teachers must be in control. They must be able to stop the tape, ask or answer questions, to manipulate the show to meet their needs," Ms. Hookey says.
Cable companies also distribute 110,000 copies of Cable in the Classroom listings magazine to schools monthly, plus free study guides.
Parents can subscribe to the magazine for $20, or find all the listings for free at the Cable in the Classroom Internet site(http: - - www.ciconline.org).
Searches can be done by topic, show name or air date. The database also includes Nova, Magic School Bus, The American Experience and all Public Broadcasting Service educational shows.
Parents can also use links from the Cable in the Classroom site to the various programmers' sites and download curriculum guides. If they're not on the net, parents can simply set their VCRs to record the weekday time periods reserved for Cable in the Classroom shows on CNN (4:30-5 a.m.), Nickelodeon (5:30-6 a.m.), A&E (7-8 a.m.) or History Channel (8-9 a.m.).
Thursday's offerings include:
- The weekly CNN Newsroom science report (4:30 a.m., CNN).
- Nick News "We Are the Weird" special on prejudice (5:30 a.m., Nickelodeon).
- The first of a two-part Story of Magic (7 a.m. today, A&E).
- Part four of the five-part Wild Blue: A History of the U.S. Air Force (8 a.m., History).
Parents with cable and a VCR also can volunteer to tape copyright-cleared shows for teachers. Ms. Hookey's organization is offering a TV and VCR each to 50 schools in a contest encouraging home taping for schools in a fall promotion, "Cable in the Classroom Comes Home."
"It's as easy as the schools requesting what they want and asking parents to do something for the classroom," says Jeri Grier, Time Warner public relations manager here.
Imagine helping to educate your children while they sleep. And while you sleep, too.
John Kiesewetter is Enquirer TV - radio critic. His column appears Monday and Wednesday. Write: 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202.
