Ransomware is one of the most alarming cyber threats today. In this quick explainer, you’ll learn how criminals can lock your files and demand money to get them back—just like a digital hostage situation. We’ll show you how ransomware works, how it spreads, and what steps you can take to protect yourself and your data before it's too late.
Smart tips for making sense of the world.
Everything you should know before your next click.
Citations are the secret ingredient to responsible writing, but knowing what actually needs a citation can be tricky. This video breaks it down into three simple categories—common knowledge, your ideas, and other people’s ideas—so you can understand when and how to cite properly. Watch the video to learn a clear, stress-free approach to citations tha...
Your phone holds more than just photos and contacts — it holds your digital life. This quick video explains how to protect your smartphone from theft, hacking, and scams, using simple best practices anyone can follow. From locking your screen to avoiding sketchy Wi-Fi, learn how to keep your personal information safe wherever you go.
To access the most useful parts of the web, you need more than just a browser—you need an online identity. This video introduces the concept of online identity and shows how it works like a digital key to unlock services, tools, and personalized experiences on websites. Watch now to see how creating accounts gives you access to the full power of the ...
Spreadsheets are one of the most powerful tools for working with data—but they can be intimidating at first. In this clear and simple explainer, you’ll learn what spreadsheets are, how they’re organized, and how they help you calculate and plan more efficiently. Whether you’re tracking hot dog sales or managing company budgets, this video will show y...
Every time you click a link, a URL is doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. But what exactly is a URL—and how does it help your browser find the right page? In this short explainer, you’ll learn how web addresses are built, how they connect you to websites, and how to read them like a pro. Whether you're curious or cautious online, understa...
Chatbots are changing the way we interact with technology. Thanks to AI, they’re no longer limited to scripted replies—they can generate original content, understand complex questions, and help us create everything from stories to images. This video explains how chatbots work, what powers them behind the scenes, and why it’s important to use them tho...
Can you use someone else’s video, photo, or song without asking? In some cases — yes. This short video breaks down the four rules of Fair Use, helping you understand when it’s okay to use copyrighted content and when it’s not.
Critical thinking isn’t just for debates or research papers—it’s a powerful tool for solving problems in everyday life. In this short explainer, you’ll see how one robotics team uses critical thinking to focus on high-quality information, ask the right questions, and anticipate challenges before they happen. Watch to learn how this mindset can help y...
With just a few words, Generative AI can write stories, design images, compose music, and even build code. But how does it work? In this short explainer, you’ll learn how generative AI creates original content from simple prompts—and why this powerful technology is both exciting and worth using responsibly. From creativity to controversy, this is you...
Disinformation is designed to mislead—and its effects can be powerful. In this short explainer, you’ll learn how false information is spread to influence opinions and decisions, and how one town’s vote was manipulated by lies disguised as truth. You’ll also gain practical tips for detecting, avoiding and stopping disinformation before it spreads.
Everything you do online leaves a trace — but those traces don’t disappear. This short video explains how your digital footprint is formed, why companies track it, and how it can affect your future. Learn how to be more intentional with what you post, click, and share.
Cyberbullying is real—and it's hurting people every day. This video explores how bullies use phones, texts, and social media to intimidate others, and what students, parents, and educators can do to stop it. Learn how awareness, support, and action can make a difference in reducing the harm caused by online bullying.
Every device on the internet has an address—and that’s what keeps everything connected. This video explains what an IP address is, how it works like a digital mailing address, and why it’s one of the most important pieces behind how the internet functions. Watch to discover the hidden system that helps information travel across the web.
Think research papers are just another boring assignment? Think again. This video reveals how writing a research paper is actually powerful practice for real-life skills—like building a strong argument, backing it up with evidence, and influencing others. Watch now to see how mastering the research paper can help you succeed in school and beyond.
Research can feel like wading through a sea of information—but how do you know what to trust? This video explains the peer review process and why articles published in peer-reviewed journals are among the most credible sources you can use. Watch to learn how experts ensure quality and why peer-reviewed content stands out from the rest.
What if students could learn at home and use classroom time to actually solve problems with their teacher’s help? That’s the flipped classroom—a fresh approach to teaching that turns the traditional model upside down. In this short explainer, you’ll see how one teacher made the switch and what it meant for student engagement, problem-solving, and cla...
Online piracy might seem harmless or easy to justify—but it’s a form of theft that affects real people. This video explains what online piracy is, why it’s illegal, and how it impacts the musicians, software developers, and creators whose work we love. Watch now to understand the hidden risks of piracy and how to make safer, more ethical choices online.
Podcasts are everywhere—and for good reason. They offer on-demand audio episodes you can download or stream at your convenience anytime, anywhere. This short explainer shows how podcasts work, what they’re used for, and how they can fit into your daily routine. Whether you're commuting, cooking, or walking the dog, there's a podcast out the...
What if your social media accounts could follow, post, and connect across different platforms—without starting from scratch? That’s the idea behind the Fediverse. In this short explainer, you’ll learn how this growing network of independent, connected apps is challenging the big platforms and changing how online communities work. Watch now to underst...
Teamwork isn’t just about working side by side—it’s about how people work together. In this video, you’ll follow two robotics teams with very different approaches to communication, planning, and problem-solving. You’ll learn what sets successful teams apart, why open communication matters more than talent alone, and how identifying team strengths and...
Whether you’re doing laundry or designing a product, every task follows a process—and flowcharts help you see it clearly. This short explainer introduces flowcharts and shows how they can help you visualize steps, improve efficiency, and share knowledge with others. Watch now to learn how a few simple shapes can make complex processes easier to under...
Your web browser has a built-in privacy tool—but do you know what it really does? This short explainer breaks down private or incognito browsing and shows how it works, what it hides (and what it doesn’t), and when to use it. Whether you’re sharing a device or keeping your shopping secrets safe, this video explains how to browse without leaving behin...
When teams work together, things don’t always run smoothly. That’s why many successful projects have a project manager—someone who keeps people, priorities, and timelines aligned. This short explainer introduces the basics of project management through a relatable example, showing how a team can stay focused and deliver great results. Watch now to le...
To unlock the full potential of the web, users need more than just access — they need accounts. This video breaks down how website accounts work, why they're essential for a digital lifestyle, and how to manage them securely. Whether you're new to the internet or helping others get started, this video is a practical guide to creating and pr...
Ever wondered why some songs, photos, or stories can be used freely while others can’t? This video explains how copyright laws work, why they expire, and what happens when a creative work enters the public domain. Learn how public domain content becomes a free, shared resource for creators everywhere—and how you can use it, too.
A digital lifestyle means using the internet, devices, and online tools to stay connected, informed, and creative. In this short explainer, you’ll follow Angie’s journey from feeling left behind to discovering the confidence and opportunities that come with going digital. Learn how tools like online identity, social networking, and social media can h...
Search engines only scratch the surface of the internet. Beneath that surface lies the deep web—a massive, hidden layer filled with valuable research tools, academic databases, and private resources. This video explains what the deep web is, how it works, and why it’s a critical tool for finding trustworthy information beyond Google. Watch to discove...
Documents used to live on our computers—now they live online. In this quick explainer, you’ll learn how local and online documents differ, why it matters, and how online tools make collaboration easier. Whether you're writing notes, sharing slides, or editing a spreadsheet, knowing how to choose and manage documents is a key digital skill. Watch...
A great presentation isn’t just about what you know—it’s about what your audience understands. In this short explainer, you’ll learn how to prepare a clear, focused, and engaging presentation that connects with your audience and supports your message. Whether you’re presenting for approval, pitching an idea, or sharing research, these steps will help...
When AI tools like ChatGPT sound smart, it’s not magic—it’s math. This video explains how Large Language Models (LLMs) help AI understand human language and respond with surprising fluency. You’ll learn how these models work behind the scenes, where their data comes from, and why it’s important to use their answers with care. Watch to demystify how A...
Blockchain is changing how we manage ownership—without relying on banks or governments. In this short explainer, you'll learn how a decentralized network can track who owns what, using a secure and transparent system. Through a simple village story, we’ll show how blockchain works, why it matters, and how it could shape the future of ownership—f...
Harassment is nothing new—but the internet has given it new forms and reach. In this video, you’ll follow a real-world scenario as online harassment escalates from rude comments to serious threats. You'll learn how to recognize harmful behavior, protect yourself, and take action. Whether it’s happening to you or someone you know, this explainer ...
Writing an email is easy—but writing one that actually gets read and gets results? That takes skill. In this short explainer, you’ll learn a simple strategy for making your emails clear, respectful, and effective. By answering three key questions in every message, you’ll increase the chances that your email gets noticed—and gets action.
Feedback can build confidence—or destroy it. The difference lies in how it’s delivered. In this short explainer, you’ll follow two robotics teams to learn how constructive criticism leads to stronger collaboration, better ideas, and a more motivated team. You’ll see why it’s not just what you say, but how you say it that makes all the difference. Wat...
What if your daily tasks felt more like a game—with points, challenges, and rewards? That’s the idea behind gamification. This video shows how turning ordinary goals into game-like experiences can boost motivation at home, at work, and beyond. Watch now to see how gamification transforms the way we achieve success.
Research can feel overwhelming, especially when you're drowning in sources you can’t trust. That’s where academic databases come in. In this video, you’ll learn how to use these powerful tools to search smarter, find reliable sources faster, and focus on the high-quality information your research needs. Whether you’re writing a paper or preparin...
Your password isn’t enough. With more of our lives online, we need stronger protection against hackers and identity theft. That’s where two factor authentication (2FA) comes in. This video explains how 2FA works using a simple real-world analogy, and shows why enabling it is one of the easiest ways to stay secure online.
Before diving into an app or signing up for a website, there's usually a little checkbox: “I agree to the Terms of Service.” But what are you really agreeing to? This short video unpacks what these agreements mean, why they matter, and how they can impact your rights, privacy, and experience online. Watch before you click “accept” next time.
Snapping a photo is easy—but sharing it online comes with more than just likes and comments. In this short explainer, you’ll learn how online photo sharing works, what hidden information your pictures carry, and how to protect your privacy while still having fun. Whether you're posting to social media or sending a group shot to friends, this vid...
Identity theft isn’t just a digital threat—it’s a real-world problem with serious consequences. This video explains how criminals steal personal information to pose as someone else, access financial resources, and leave victims in financial and emotional turmoil. Watch now to learn how identity theft works and what steps you can take to protect yours...
We’re surrounded by information—but how do we know what to trust? This short explainer shows you how to tell the difference between facts and opinions, and why that distinction matters in research, conversations, and media. With clear examples and simple logic, you’ll learn how to evaluate what you hear and read—and use that skill to think more clear...
Webinars make meetings possible without the travel. In this short explainer, you’ll learn how web conferencing tools allow people from anywhere in the world to connect, present, and collaborate in real time. Whether you're leading a team meeting, presenting to customers, or sharing a training session, this video shows how webinars work—and why t...
