Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the minimum technical requirements?

Browsers:

• Mac OSX:  Safari 2.0 or Firefox 2.0
• Windows:  Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 2.0

Browser must be configured as follows:

• Flash player plug-in of Version 8 or greater
• Javascript enabled
• Pop-up window blocker disabled

2. What's the difference between the Clips Collection and My Content?

The Clips Collection contains published clips, sets, and activities created and cataloged by McLean Media. My Content is the personal collection of clips, activities, and sets that you create within the Content Kit and that are only visible to you. Choose the collection where you want to look BEFORE using the search function. You can edit or delete items in My Content that you have created. Titles of these editable items are highlighted in yellow when displayed in a list. You cannot edit or delete published items from the Clips Collection, including sets and activities. However, you can open published sets to add items from them to your own sets or activities. Published activities may have different features than personal activities, such as unique backgrounds, additional tools, or built-in feedback.

3. Can anyone use the Content Clips site?

Content Clips is free for any non-commercial, educational, or personal use. However, you must sign up for an account to be able to search the collection and to save any clips, clip sets, or activities you create. To sign up, you must be at least 13 years of age and agree to abide by the terms of use agreement.

4. What kinds of materials are here and why?

Content Clips began as a research project that gathered images, audio, video, web links, and other resources to supplement standards-based elementary life science lessons. We are now adding clips and activities for other subject areas and grade levels. All published clips and activities are selected or created and cataloged by the Content Clips team, which includes media producers and curriculum specialists. Many of the materials were selected from the National Science Digital Library, a collection of learning resource collections. You can also make your personal clips by linking to other web pages or create your own activities by combing clips with specialized backgrounds.

5. Why do I have to sign up to use this site?

Signing up for an account lets the computer program keep track of what you find, create, and save when you use the Content Clips system. Because this system uses a login with User ID and password instead of cookies for tracking your identity, you can access this site from any computer with an Internet connection and browser.

6. If I forget my password, how do I get a new one?

If you forget your password, click on the Forgot Your Password button? here or on the Support page. You will be sent an e-mail that will allow you to log into the system and re-enter a password. If you do not receive this e-mail, please notify .

7. Why can't you just send me a password reminder?

Content Clips uses a highly secure Identity Management System that encrypts your password and protects it from being seen by others in any online transaction. This system does not let us see exactly what password you have used. Be sure to record your User ID and password in a safe place.

8. How can I print screens on Content Clips?

Some screens may be printed from within your browser's print function.

9. Can students use the Content Kit?

The Content Kit was designed for teachers to select, create, and assign online materials. To use the Content Kit, users must sign up for a teacher account. Teachers should not let students use the Content Kit if they do not want them to add, delete, or edit clips, sets, or activities.

10. Why can't I edit or delete a Published Activity or Published Set or add it to the Work Zone?

Published Activities and Published Sets cannot be edited or deleted. You cannot place them in the Work Zone because you cannot add items to or remove items from them.

11. Why can't I open a Published Activity to see a list of items within it or use those items in my own set or activity?

Published Activities are locked and cannot be opened to see a list of items within them. You can open Published Sets from the Clips Collection and your own Personal Activities and Personal Sets in My Content.

12. Why can't I see any clips, activities, or sets in the Clip Zone or with the View button?

To view any clips, activities, or sets, you must have a current version of the FlashPlayer installed and have Javascript enabled in your browser. All items are displayed in a separate browser window. If you have "Block Pop-up Windows" activated, you may need to disable this function in your browser.

13. Why don't activities have feedback for wrong answers, save sticky-note text, or include an eraser tool?

These features are all planned but not yet implemented. Please check the site often for updates and improvements.

14. When will you add more clips and activities?

We are adding new clips and activities every week.

15. Can I download clips and use them offline?

Yes, if you use them only for educational classroom or personal use or their use is not restricted by a copyright holder other than McLean Media. See our use policy for further details.

16. What is the National Science Digital Library (NSDL)?

The NSDL is an online collection of collections supported by the National Science Foundation. This project began as a research study that was partially funded through the NSDL program. You can learn more about the NSDL at nsdl.org.