Discover - Untangle - Build - Engage

Openverse: Provides over 800 million openly licensed and public domain images and audio files. Search across multiple repositories and filter by license type, use case, and source. Ideal for sourcing culturally diverse, historically rich, and legally usable visuals. Supports multimodal learning and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by offering visual alternatives to text.

All content is Creative Commons licensed or public domain, but varies by asset. Openverse aggregates content from platforms like Flickr, Wikimedia Commons, and Europeana.
Attribution Requirements:

• Always check the specific license for each item (e.g., CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC0)

• Use the TASL method:

• Title

• Author

• Source (URL)

• License

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​​​​​​​Pixabay: Offers over 5.7 million royalty-free images, illustrations, vectors, and videos.

Simple interface with category filters and keyword search.

High-resolution visuals suitable for instructional media, infographics, and student projects with no copyright worries. Can be embedded in rubrics, visual schedules, or multimedia learning modules.​​​​​​​​​​

Attribution Requirements:
Pixabay License (similar to public domain; free for commercial and educational use, no attribution required). ​​Pixabay content is released under the Pixabay License, which is similar to CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) but with some restrictions.

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Library of Congress: Curated sets of public domain images, historical photographs, maps, and illustrations organized by theme (e.g., Civil Rights, Women’s History).

Rich primary sources for history, civics, and social justice units. Supports inquiry-based learning and culturally responsive teaching and learning.

Use in Document-based questions, timeline activities, or multimedia storytelling assignments.

Attribution Requirements: Public domain licensing.

• Not legally required, but ethically recommended to cite the Library of Congress as the source

• Include title and collection name when possible.

FreePik: Offers free stock footage and motion graphics under Creative Commons and royalty-free licenses. 

Includes motion graphics, stock footage, and sound effects. Offers both free and premium content. Useful for creating explainer videos, simulations, or visual metaphors. Enhances student engagement through dynamic media.

Use in flipped classroom videos, multimedia assessments, or instructional screencasts.
Attribution Requirements: Freepik License (custom), with both free and premium assets.

• Free assets require attribution unless you're a premium subscriber

• Must include:

  • Author name

  • Source (Freepik.com)

  • Link to the asset

• Attribution must be visible near the content (e.g., slide footer, webpage caption)

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​Pexels: High-quality stock videos and animations across genres. Pexels License (free for personal and commercial use, no attribution required). Easy download and embed options.

Great for visual demonstrations, mood-setting intros, or background loops. Supports cognitive load theory by chunking information visually.

Embed in Canvas announcements, lesson intros, or student-created media.
Attribution Requirements: Pexels License (similar to CC0)

• No attribution legally required, but ethically encouraged

• You may use, modify, and distribute for free—even commercially

• Attribution is appreciated, especially in academic or collaborative contexts.

 

OER Commons: ​A public digital library of open educational resources, including videos, lesson plans, and full modules. Remix and publish personal content using Open Author tool. Empowers educators to discover, adapt, and share high-quality resources aligned with equity, accessibility, and instructional rigor. ​

Most resources are under Creative Commons licenses, allowing for free use, adaptation, and redistribution. Licensing filters find materials that suit remixing or commercial use needs.

 Videos, infographics, and interactive modules can be integrated into slides or Padlet boards. Materials support scaffolding for diverse learners, with multimodal formats and inclusive design principles.
Attribution Requirements: Varies, but mostly Creative Commons.

• Must follow the TASL method:

  • Title

  • Author

  • Source (URL)

  • License type

• Indicate if you modified or remixed the resource

Blender Education: Professional-grade 3D animation, modeling, and rendering tools. Education portal with badges, lesson plans, and community projects that support simulations, rigging, and video editing.

Cross-platform and highly customizable, with an active educator community and shared teaching frameworks.

Scaffold STEM or art projects with 3D modeling challenges, Use animation to visualize scientific processes or historical reconstructions, and integrate into project-based learning with student-led media creation​​.  ​​

Attribution Requirements: 

• Software (Blender itself): No attribution required for use, but if you modify and redistribute the code, you must share it under the same GPL license.

• Educational Content (e.g., tutorials, lesson plans):

• Credit the creator

• Include the title of the work (if available)

• Link to the source

• Indicate the license (CC BY-SA 4.0)

• Note any changes made.

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Animation Exploration: Repository of lesson plans, student work, and animation pedagogy. Focus on handcrafted and silhouette animation techniques, with contributions from university-level animation courses. Designed for educators, it is easy to adapt and remix. Includes​ examples and reflective teaching insights. 

Silhouette animations can be used for storytelling in English Language Arts or history. Embed handcrafted animation into visual arts modules and encourage students to reflect on animation as a form of narrative.   

Attribution Requirements: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

• Credit the creator (name or institution, if listed)

• Include the title of the work (if available)

• Link to the source (e.g., animationexploration.org or the specific page)

• Specify the license (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

• Indicate changes if you modified, remixed, or adapted the resource

• Use non-commercially — you cannot use the resource for profit

• Share alike — if you remix or adapt, your version must be shared under the same license.​​​

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Krita: Professional digital painting and frame-by-frame animation tools with brush engines, onion skinning, and timeline controls.​​ The platform provides an intuitive interface for artists and educators. Supports stylus input and high-res exports​. ​

Can be used for concept art, character design, or visual narratives and integrated into art or media studies with animation portfolios. Scaffold creative expression and visual storytelling.​​
Attribution Requirements: License: Varies, moslty Creative Commons.

• Always check the license for each asset (brush packs, tutorials, sample files, etc.)

• Use the TASL method for Creative Commons works:

  • Title

  • Author

  • Source (URL)

  • License type

• Indicate if you modified or remixed the resource.

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Free Music Archive (FMA): Curated library of high-quality, legal audio downloads under Creative Commons licenses (varies by track).

Curated by genre, mood, and use case. Includes educational and experimental music collections.

Supports auditory learners and emotional engagement. Great for podcasting, video narration, or classroom ambiance. Add to student-created media, background for presentations, or mindfulness routines.

Attribution Requirements: Varies, but mostly Creative Commons.

• Must follow the TASL method:

  • Title

  • Author

  • Source (URL)

  • License type

• Indicate if you modified or remixed the resource.

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Pixabay Music: ​Genre-based playlists (e.g., ambient, cinematic, corporate) with easy download and integration. Free for commercial and educational use, no attribution required.

Enhances storytelling, transitions, and emotional tone in lessons. Supports multimodal instruction and creative expression. Use in Canva presentations, Jamboard intros, or Padlet reflections.

Attribution Requirements:Pixabay License (similar to public domain; free for commercial and educational use, no attribution required). ​​Pixabay content is released under the Pixabay License, which is similar to CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) but with some restrictions.

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Open Music Academy: Over 13,000 media resources and 1000 documents for music instruction. ​Interactive tools: multitrack player, ear training, embedded notation, and audio/video analysis. Community-driven platform where educators can create private rooms, upload materials, and remix content. Legal audio downloads under Creative Commons licenses

Intuitive interface tailored for music pedagogy and supports gamification and collaborative learning.

Embed play-alongs and arrangements into Canvas modules. Use ear training tasks for formative assessment. Scaffold music theory lessons with interactive PDFs and a notation tool.
Attribution Requirements: License: Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0

• Must include:

• Title of the work

• Author/Composer name

• Source (Open Music Academy)

• License type (CC BY-SA 4.0)

• Indication of changes (if remixed or adapted).

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