Frequently Asked Questions about Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trips

Questions About the Television Broadcast

How do I find a broadcaster in my area?
I don’t have a broadcaster in my area. Can I still participate in the live program?
When are the broadcasts?
How long are the broadcasts?
How do my students phone in questions?
Why don’t my students’ questions get on air?
What is closed captioning and how can I use it?
What is audio description and how can I use it?
How can I get a broadcaster in my area?

Do you have a problem that is not listed here? Ask us and we’ll be glad to help!
You can reach us by phone at 1-800-761-8331 or by email at EFTSupport@cwf.org.

How do I find a broadcaster in my area?
Your local Public Television Station or cable provider may broadcast Electronic Field Trips. This page will help you determine if a broadcaster in your state carries Colonial Williamsburg EFTs. Remember to check the listings for neighboring states, as broadcast areas often cross state lines, and cable providers may offer multiple Public Television Stations. Please contact your broadcaster after the program airs. Let them know you have used the program and appreciate their assistance!

I don’t have a broadcaster in my area. Can I still participate in the live program?
Yes! We also provide the program via live video stream on your computer. For more information, see the FAQ section on streaming.

When are the broadcasts?

2012-13 Series
The Will of the People	October 11, 2012
Emissaries of Peace	November 8, 2012
Colonial Idol	December 13, 2012
Research Rescue Squad	January 17, 2013
The Slave Trade	February 14, 2013
The Global Economy	March 14, 2013
The Industrious Tradesman	April 11, 2013

Broadcasts are always on Thursdays. We air two broadcasts on each day, one at 10:00 AM Eastern Time and one at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. Both broadcasts are live.

How long are the broadcasts?
Each broadcast is 58 minutes in length.

How do my students phone in questions?

• A message will appear on the TV screen when it is time to begin calling. The toll-free number is on the Numbers to Remember sheet and will not be shown on the screen.
• Students should be prepared to give their questions to the operator. Some questions will go directly to an expert or historian; others will go into the line-up to go on the air.
• If your student’s question is in the line-up to go on the air, he or she will be placed on hold. Don’t hang up! Students will be able to hear the program through the telephone. Sometimes calls will be held over from one segment to the next.
• Time is extremely limited, so the student who is asking the question (not the teacher) must be on the phone when the operator answers.
• It is very important to turn down the volume of the TV in the classroom when your student is on the air with a question. Otherwise, feedback will make it difficult to hear!
• When the student’s name is announced on the air, he or she should ask the question in a strong, clear voice.
• We will answer calls during the broadcast and for one hour afterward. Call volume is often lower after the broadcast, so take advantage of this additional hour to speak to our historians and experts!

Why don’t my students’ questions get on air?
We make every effort to answer as many calls as possible on the air! Make sure your students have more than one question ready, in case the first question has already been asked. Calls can only be accepted from students. The better the question, the more likely the student is to get on the air! Remember, you can still call and talk with our historians for one hour after each broadcast.

What is closed captioning and how can I use it?
Closed captioning is text that appears on the TV screen in real time, showing dialogue, sound effects, music, and other sounds. All of the broadcasts are closed-captioned for the hearing impaired. Many teachers find that closed captioning can be helpful for students who speak English as a second language or have learning disabilities, or for all students as a literacy exercise. We even have some ideas for how to use captioning in the classroom. Most televisions made after 1993 have the ability to show closed captioning. Closed captioning can usually be turned on using the menu on your TV or by using the CC button on your remote control. Refer to your television manual for instructions.

What is audio description and how can I use it?
Audio descriptions allow visually impaired students to access content that is normally not available to them just by listening to the program. Between the dialogue, narrators describe actions, gestures, scene changes, or text that may appear on the screen. All of our TV broadcasts have audio descriptions, which are available on your television’s Secondary Audio Program channel, or SAP channel. If your TV was made after 1995, it probably has SAP options as long as the sound is stereo rather than mono. Often, SAP can be enabled through the menu on your TV. Consult your user's manual for directions.

How can I get a broadcaster in my area?
If there is no broadcaster in your area, check your local Public Television Station's Web site or your local phone book to contact the station manager. We have found that stations are most likely to distribute our programs when teachers from their viewing audience request the coverage. We are more than happy to work with the station to answer any questions or concerns. Don't hesitate to have the station’s programming director contact us at 1-800-761-8331 or EFTSupport@cwf.org.