My school has a closed circuit cable system that works very poorly. The wiring is terrible, making the reception terrible, but nobody will fix it because the district is hoping to deploy Inventive Technology’s MediaCAST in the next few years. “MediaCAST is an open and interoperable digital content management and video streaming solution. Each system is reliable, scalable and designed to grow with your organization's storage and streaming needs. The MediaCAST platform is the nucleus of the system. It provides you with tools to create, manage and deliver live and on-demand multimedia anytime, anywhere. From analog to digital encoding, to copyright compliance tools, the platform helps you to efficiently manage your media over its life cycle. Access your digital repository from any device with internet connectivity, including computers, display screens, projectors, mobile devices, and iPads” ("Streaming Video On Demand," 2012). Until we get our MediaCAST system, however, we have three channels that I can transmit information through. I only use one because the other two have such bad reception, so I run our news show from a computer, through a Tivator, into the cable box. Teachers watch through the tv, although some use a VCR switchbox to run it through their projectors. If a teacher requests streaming of a VHS or a DVD, I unplug the wires from the Tivator and plug them into the DVD/VCR player for video distribution. Teachers are supposed to fill out a video approval form for this that has to get approved by the principal, usually a few days ahead of time, but lots of times I just get a note from a student asking me to put something on on the spot.
All of the teachers have Discovery Education/United Streaming accounts, and I like to encourage the teachers to use this for educational media because they do not have to get approval to show anything from it, and they can play it from their computers through their projectors. Many of the resources include lesson plans, teacher’s guides, and quizzes, so I think this is a much better resource that using VHS tapes that are from the early 1990’s. I’ve made the argument that if the tape has been around since I have been an elementary school student, it is out of date and not an effective resource. Sometimes, however, it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks, so I end up having to put on the video anyways. Yes, Mr. Wizard was cool in 1987, and the laws of physics haven’t really changed, but the interest level of viewers certainly has. If we are going to waste instructional time showing videos, I think it needs to be something relevant that actually holds the students’ interest, and I know there is content out there that does. I’ve been tempted to throw out all of the VHS tapes because I can see how out of date they are, but I know that would not make me very popular. I am hoping that when MediaCAST arrives, the interactivity and convenience are so enticing that I never have to use our current closed circuit system ever again.
Streaming Video On Demand. (2012). Inventive Technology, Inc. Retrieved October 28, 2012, from http://www.inventivetec.com/
All of the teachers have Discovery Education/United Streaming accounts, and I like to encourage the teachers to use this for educational media because they do not have to get approval to show anything from it, and they can play it from their computers through their projectors. Many of the resources include lesson plans, teacher’s guides, and quizzes, so I think this is a much better resource that using VHS tapes that are from the early 1990’s. I’ve made the argument that if the tape has been around since I have been an elementary school student, it is out of date and not an effective resource. Sometimes, however, it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks, so I end up having to put on the video anyways. Yes, Mr. Wizard was cool in 1987, and the laws of physics haven’t really changed, but the interest level of viewers certainly has. If we are going to waste instructional time showing videos, I think it needs to be something relevant that actually holds the students’ interest, and I know there is content out there that does. I’ve been tempted to throw out all of the VHS tapes because I can see how out of date they are, but I know that would not make me very popular. I am hoping that when MediaCAST arrives, the interactivity and convenience are so enticing that I never have to use our current closed circuit system ever again.
Streaming Video On Demand. (2012). Inventive Technology, Inc. Retrieved October 28, 2012, from http://www.inventivetec.com/
As teachers, we do use Public Broadcasting resources, but we use their website to find video clips to show in class. We do not tape shows from PBS and then show them over closed circuit any more. Our media specialist used to do this, but it's an outdated practice now. We use PBS on our computers, rather than our TVs. Our projectors act as our TVs to show their resources.
ReplyDeleteWow! So much is changing when it comes to videos. Don’t you just love going on line to sites like Teacher Tube, Math Tube; Awesome Stories; Khan Academy; School Tube; Science 360; and Archive.org Our school uses the old VHS videos. They are in the back room collecting dust. They’re old and have tracking and sound issues. Sometimes they get checked out but not often. I see most teachers check them out when they want to have some down time to grade papers or if it goes along with their thematic unit books. We have closed circuit system with four channels for VHS and one channel for DVD. The problem with using the DVD player is that, the media center hasn’t purchased any. I find that most of the teachers use the online materials now. Our district has a subscription to Brainpop and United Streaming. These are some awesome videos. The problem with United Streaming is just what it is: streaming. At times you can’t get them to stream through without stopping. They can be downloaded and this is the best thing to do; however videos do take up a lot of storage room on your computers. Downloading still would be the best bet, especially if your school has larger servers.
ReplyDeleteWow, I cant imagine being at a school that doesnt have proper circuit system hardware. But you are right, some/most of the VHS tapes are very outdated. There are few and far between that I would chose to show my students, compared to the new material that is now available from the internet and DVD's. And to be honest, now even some DVD's are becoming outdated. Personally, I use United Streaming and Teacher Tube the most. I rarely show anything else. Simply due to the fact, and like you mentioned, that the content is is more likeable and easier for students to understand. I also like the fact that it comes with lessons that go along with the videos and quizzes at the end.
ReplyDeleteI can so relate. My school is in similar shape with inner school video sharing. It works at times and not at times. Thankfully we also have purchased subscriptions to streaming options and teachers seem to really enjoy and use these subscriptions. We do have one DVD channel where the media specialist can give access to teachers to watch educational DVDs or class made projects. Teachers often by pass this option and use their classroom smartboard system to share DVDs or simply stream information from United Streaming, Teacher Tube or Brain Pop. Students really respond to these options as well.
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