Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is KQED Teach?

KQED Teach offers free, self-paced courses on media literacy that teachers can use to create engaging experiences in the classroom. KQED Teach was developed by KQED, an award-winning PBS and NPR affiliate in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Who is KQED Teach for? Can students use KQED Teach?

We want educators to practice and experience media making first-hand before bringing it into the classroom. KQED Teach is meant to be student-free.

Can schools and districts sign up for KQED Teach?

Yes! Through school or district implementation, course availability can be customized and curated to meet school or district goals and objectives. Contact our Associate Director of Partnerships & Distribution, Almetria Vaba ([email protected]) for more information.

What courses are available?

Our courses are all focused on media analysis, media making, and bringing media projects into your classroom. You can find them here. We’re always updating KQED Teach. Whether it’s a new course, a new challenge, or a new platform functionality.

Do you offer graduate units?

Yes. Upon completing a course on KQED Teach, educators can submit their certificates of course completion with a small fee to purchase grad units from the Teachers College of San Joaquin or the University of San Diego. Once purchased, you will receive a transcript that can be submitted to your district. Please check with your district to ensure they accept the units before purchasing. Get more information on grad units.

How do I earn a certificate of course completion?

After you complete a KQED Teach course, you will be awarded a certificate of course completion that you can download. You will also receive the certificate to the email listed in your KQED Teach account. Certificates of course completion highlight estimated course hours, the project completed and the certificate award date.

What can I do with my certificate of course completion?

You can use your certificate of course completion as evidence to share with your district for professional development hours. You can also share your certificate of course completion on social media, or add your certificate to your email signature, LinkedIn profile, or professional website.

How long are certificates of course completion valid?

Certificates of course completion do not expire.

Can I use KQED course material and media in my classroom?

Yes... mostly. All course content unless otherwise noted is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. This license excludes all user generated content (e.g. course assignments) unless explicitly labeled for reuse by the user. Permission to reuse user generated content should be directed to the individual creator.

Why am I not receiving emails or communication from my instructors about my coursework?

In order to get direct communication from your instructors, you need to opt-in to receive emails from us. You can do this by following these instructions to change your settings.

What about Certification and Micro-Credentials?

These programs sunset on June 1, 2025. KQED partnered with PBS to offer the PBS Media Literacy Educator Certification by KQED and offered micro-credentials through Digital Promise. More details here.

All earned micro-credentials and Certification badges are valid in perpetuity. See this FAQ for more information on sharing your digital badges.

I still have questions, how do I reach you?

Please email us at [email protected].