Documentary
A companion programme to TVOntario's Bits and Bytes, The Academy explores the principles and applications of computer technology in greater detail.

This episode looks more closely at the key hardware elements of a computer, and introduces many of the popular home computers of 1983. It also includes a panel discussion involving a primary and a secondary school teachers, an at-home/small business user, an office automation consultant and a lawyer on what computers mean to them, and how they've have been changing their lives; and a segment where viewers' questions are answered.
In this episode, we touch on the issues of computer architecture and software compatibility, and how software is loaded into and saved from the computer. It also includes a panel discussion involving an instructional computing specialist, a (particularly interesting) editor-teacher-consultant, a lawyer, and an educator-consultant, and covering ready-made software, what makes a program good, how one might settle on a microcomputer, the balance between passive use of the computer as an appliance versus active/creative use through programming, the balance of 'serious' and entertaining uses of the computer (and the intersection of entertainment and education), and the role of local user groups.
Jim Butterfield demonstrates computer programs, how operators interact with them, and the methods computer programs use to commuicate. In addition, a conversation with a computer programmer about their techniques, and a panel discussion on why the need to write computer programs.
Jim Butterfield demonstrates how file systems work on computers, and how to store data on internal devices and external devices such as floppy disks. A panel demonstrates how they store data related to their jobs and hobbies. Plus, we hear from viewers with questions on computers and technology.
Jim Butterfield demonstrates sharing resources between computers to complete complex tasks and spread information across areas. A panel demonstrates how their own computers and communication tools. Plus, viewer correspondence.
Jim Butterfield discusses the instructions that make a computer tick - computer languages. He demonstrates many of the popular languages in use today, then discusses with educators the languages they use both at home and in the school. Plus, viewer correspondence on various computing topics.
A focus on using computers to aid in education. School teacher Joe Vanya discusses his use of computer assisted instruction in Canadian schoolrooms, creating games and tools to help students learn. A panel of teachers discusses their use of CAI, plus viewer correspondents with Jim Butterfield.
Computers are not just for education and business, they can be for fun! Jim Butterfield discusses the different kinds of games on the market. School teacher Larry Noonan goes in depth on educational video game Rocky's Boots, while game designers demonstrate their latest creations. Plus, viewers write in on their computing questions.
Jim Butterfield looks at a number of micro-computers and how they implement computer graphics. The LOGO programming system is demonstrated to showcase users creating their own computer graphics. A round table discussion on computer graphics plus viewer correspondence round out the programme.
Jim Butterfield demonstrates music creation and voice synthization on microcomputers, including tools that assist in learning how to read and speak. A panel demonstrates musical interfaces on their own computers, including microphones and musical keyboards. Plus, viewer correspondence and questions.
With micro-computers making computers more affordable, Jim Butterfield discusses various uses of this technology in the office. Spreadsheets, charting, and information sharing is demonstrated. Business owners and educators discuss the uses of computing in their businesses. Plus, viewer correspondence.
What is the future of computers? What side effects will there be, on privacy, information security, or socialization? A panel of experts have an indepth discussion. Plus, Jim Butterfield gives his predictions on the future of computing.
Host
Special Guest

Australian host Steve Irwin and his wife Terri run a wildlife refuge. Their shared passion is educating the world about wildlife, including the much feared crocodile and numerous venomous snakes. Steve's specialty is the capture and relocation of crocodiles. No animal appears too threatening to Steve, his true respect for animals is the foundation for everything he does.

Attention please! Are you ready for an adventurous tour through the human body? With a lot of humour, our physical appearance is being introduced from head to toe along cells and organs in an educational way. The heart, blood, nerves and kidneys, each single one is a miracle which renders life possible.

In the 1940s a different kind of tool was invented a tool for extending certain powers of mans mind, the electronic computer. It is the fast, reliable, and tireless performance of a variety of arithmetic and logical operatic is which gives the computer its great utility and power. What this exciting invention means to mankind now and in the future is the subject of this provocative series.

Time Team is a British television series which has been aired on British Channel 4 from 1994. Created by television producer Tim Taylor and presented by actor Tony Robinson, each episode featured a team of specialists carrying out an archaeological dig over a period of three days, with Robinson explaining the process in layman's terms. This team of specialists changed throughout the series' run, although has consistently included professional archaeologists such as Mick Aston, Carenza Lewis, Francis Pryor and Phil Harding. The sites excavated over the show's run have ranged in date from the Palaeolithic right through to the Second World War.

Did you know that behind a soccer ball, glasses or a spoon lie treasures of inventiveness and thousands of years of history? Each episode of this new series looks at an object. Through its creation and its developments, through the ages and civilizations, we approach all sciences, from physics to philosophy, including history. Each object of our daily life is the result of a long process and conceals a rich history of knowledge and human adventures. Never again will you look at your stairs, your pants or a computer the same way...

Zoboomafoo is an American children's television series that aired from January 25, 1999, to April 28, 2001, and is still shown today in syndication depending on the area, and it is regularly shown on PBS Kids Sprout. A total of 65 episodes were aired. A creation of the Kratt Brothers, it features a talking Coquerel's Sifaka, a type of lemur, named Zoboomafoo, or Zoboo for short, and a collection of repeat animal guests. Every episode begins with the Kratt brothers in "Animal Junction", a peculiar place in which the rules of nature change and wild animals come to visit and play. After January 16, 2004, the show was pulled from its weekday airing on most PBS stations, though some continue to air the show.