STREAMING VIDEO

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/06/business/media/06stream.html

I read an article in the New York Times about video streaming and the difference between it and down loadable, rather slow, clips. When someone thinks about watching a video or movie on their laptop or PC, they probably groan because the thought of the quality they are used to from download bale videos come to mind. Before streaming videos, the quality of media on computers was very poor, and a lot of the reason for this was that people didn't have fast enough speed on their computers to watch the clips. I found this tidbit in the article helpful, "The Pew Internet & American Life Project estimated that 47 percent of American households have broadband connections that make streaming possible because it transmits data faster". With 47% of the US able to watch streaming video online, many things as far as how we view things could change.

NBC and many other large tv networks have streaming video available on their websites, this could be very helpful for teachers and educators to show interesting events that are going on live around the world. Imagine being able to watch speeches and the shuttle launch live, it would be like a virtual field trip for students.

This video streaming could be taken to further lengths in education by allowing student to use streaming videos in their class projects, or even letting them create one of their classroom for others to watch. Many day cares have a video streaming live at all times to help parents feel at ease; this would be good in classrooms also. Parents could tune in throughout the day and also be aware of what their children are learning so they can incorporate that day's lesson at home. It could also help parents keep an eye on their kids behavior.

Podcasting

http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/sites/sites074.shtml

Podcasting....what an awesome idea!!!!

I read an article at education worlds website that easily helped me understand exactly what a podcast is. Now that I know, I am excited; I think having an online database of audio samples is a great tool in education. The article goes into depth about what a podcast is, how to make one, and the benefits in teaching. There are several programs like Podomatic that can simplify pod casting and make it almost dummy proof.

I think all teachers should take advantage of this inexpensive way of broadening their audio library. Not only can songs be obtained, but stories and other forms of audio that can really enhance a lesson plan and gain the attention of all the students in the classroom. I would think that audio and songs would make the students much more interested in the lesson and enhance the learning potential.

To take pod casting one step further, I would love to allow students to incorporate pod casts into their projects and storyboards, the creativity would definitely flow!