Odvard Egil Dyrli on net video: online video brings program and public relations benefits to schools.For the past two years the Warren Consolidated Schools district in Michigan has featured streaming online video on its Web site--where films play as they are transmitted--to enhance communications with parents and the community. The district offers informational presentations on topics of local interest such as the use of blogs in collaborative writing The term collaborative writing refers to projects where written works are created by multiple people together (collaboratively) rather than individually. Some projects are overseen by an editor or editorial team, but many grow without any of this top-down oversight. , new safety and security measures Noun 1. security measures - measures taken as a precaution against theft or espionage or sabotage etc.; "military security has been stepped up since the recent uprising" security , and the selection of their elementary school elementary school: see school. for federal blue ribbon blue ribbon denotes highest honor. [Western Folklore: Brewer Dictionary, 127] See : Prize honors. "We give families a first-hand look at what is going on inside their schools, and how their money is being spent," says Webmaster Chris Kenniburg. And, users can view the films 24/7/365 from any Net-linked machine. But in spite of high-speed Internet See broadband. service that connects most K-12 schools throughout the U.S., and the widespread availability of inexpensive digital cameras, districts have been painfully slow in tapping the potential of Internet video Video material obtained from the Internet. It may refer to streaming video from real time broadcasts, streaming archival material or downloading video files for watching later, all of which are viewed on the computer. . "I have been searching for a district that uses streaming video A one-way video transmission over a data network. It is widely used on the Web as well as company networks to play video clips and video broadcasts. Computers in home networks stream video to digital media hubs connected to a home theater. technology as we do," says Kenniburg, "to see how we can improve our Web site." Multiple Applications Growing numbers of schools are now pioneering the use of online video on their Web sites for multiple applications that other districts should consider. Some sites include instructions for downloading the free online players that are necessary to view the media, including QuickTime Player The media player software that comes with QuickTime for the Mac and Windows. See QuickTime. , RealPlayer/ RealOne Player and Windows Media Player Digital jukebox software for Windows from Microsoft that plays a variety of audio, video and streaming formats including MP3, WMA, CD audio and MIDI. Starting with Version 6.2 in 1999, the Windows Media Rights Manager was added for securing copyrighted content. , and some provide separate options for broadband and dial-up users. For example, California's Pasadena Unified School District The Pasadena Unified School District is a unified school district that is responsible for the schools of Pasadena, California. As of 2005, it has 5 high schools, 3 middle schools, and 24 elementary schools. offers a video archive of all its Board of Education meetings, so it is easy to stay informed. But since the meetings are typically at least five hours long, the site also includes convenient pull-down topic menus so viewers can go directly to specific items on the agenda. The district site also offers online training videos for a new student information system, homework-help shows on math, and updates with Superintendent Percy Clark Jr. In Iowa, the Dubuque Community Schools district integrates online video extensively throughout its Web site, and produced more than 100 films for a wide variety of purposes. These include opportunities to visit school plays, music performances, class projects, art exhibits, ribbon-cutting ceremonies and Superintendent John Burgart's opening address. Teaching and Learning The vapid integration of online video into education-related Web sites is bringing user control and powerful new dimensions to the school curriculum that have never before been possible. For example, network sites such as CBSnews.com and NBCnews.com offer clips on breaking news stories worldwide. Similarly, Archaeology.com provides free films that take users to Viking settlements, the Parthenon, Machu Picchu and Pompeii. Many district sites are including links to recommended resources for students, teachers, administrators and parents. There are also content providers that deliver subscription-based online video specifically for the school curriculum, such as Atomic Learning, BrainPOP and Unitedstreaming. Teachers can use such streaming media on a single computer connected to a projector or electronic whiteboard, and individuals can access the content at any time at school and at home. However, the use of streaming media online is not without its disadvantages. As is true in using all online resources, students may stumble across inappropriate content, certain sites may install spyware on computers surreptitiously sur·rep·ti·tious adj. 1. Obtained, done, or made by clandestine or stealthy means. 2. Acting with or marked by stealth. See Synonyms at secret. , and having many students access streaming media simultaneously can degrade the speed of service. For these reasons alternative delivery methods are also being developed, such as the new Montage server from Safari Video Networks that stores preloaded video on school networks. The use of streaming online media can bring substantial benefits to schools, and your district needs to participate. Web Resources * Warren Consolidated Schools www.wcs.k12.mi.us * Pasadena Unified School District www.pusd.us * Dubuque Community Schools www.dubuque.k12.ia.us * Atomic Learning www.atomiclearning.com * BrainPOP www.brainpop.com * Unitedstreaming www.unitedstreaming.com * Safari Video Networks www.safarivideonetworks.com Odvard Egil Dyrli, dyrli@uconn.edu, is senior editor and emeritus professor of education at the University of Connecticut The University of Connecticut is the State of Connecticut's land-grant university. It was founded in 1881 and serves more than 27,000 students on its six campuses, including more than 9,000 graduate students in multiple programs. UConn's main campus is in Storrs, Connecticut. . |
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