Since I currently don’t work in a school library media
center, I met with Julie Townley, the media specialist at Johnson High School,
to get an overview of what video distribution system they use and gather her
thoughts on its effectiveness. Johnson HS currently uses a closed-circuit cable
system to distribute movies/media throughout the entire school. The head end
unit is located in an office inside the media center. This unit contains a
VHS/DVD combo and Julie uses the system to broadcast various movies or
programs. Each classroom at Johnson has a mounted television, which also
contains a VHS/DVD combo, so in most cases, Julie says that the closed-circuit
system is rarely used because teachers can control the video or program
themselves. Grade-wide programs/movies at the end of the school year or usually
shown on the television and until recently, the morning school news was shown
through the closed-circuit television (it is now digitally recorded and sent
out through email, which teachers can display using their laptops/projectors or
SmartBoards). Teachers also have access to certain TV channels, such as
channels 2, 5, 11, etc.
One of the problems Julie notes with the closed-circuit
system is that it’s just not as user-friendly as other, newer platforms are.
For example, she notes that a lot of area schools have switched to a digital
format such as the Safari Montage system. By allowing teachers/media
specialists access to online programs, these digital systems are proving to be
a lot more user-friendly and allow easy access to resources.
Organizations such as Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB)
offer online streaming resources for educators, which provide reliable and
accurate programming or lesson supplements. For instance, say a social studies
teacher wanted to screen a particular video on Kennedy, but the school didn’t
have a physical copy, such as a DVD. GPB’s Education website contains digital
content in a variety of different subjects that can be streamed from any
computer. This eliminates the school having to purchase a physical copy.
Digitally streaming videos is also cost-effective for many
schools. By purchasing a subscription to any particular educational
organization, teachers have access to many videos and resources that would cost
much more should the school have to purchase each one of those items. Another
thought is copyright—in most cases, digital content which is provided through a
subscription-based provider, such as Safari Montage, can be shown without
having to worry about copyright issues.
Overall, I think the advancement in digital streaming
content is a huge gain for school systems (and probably a lot less headache for
media specialists!) and I think that more and more schools will be switching to
this format in the near future.
I totally agree that streaming videos online is cheaper and easier than having a physical copy. If I have some extra time at the end of a lesson, it is much easier for me to open up UnitedStreaming.com and search than it is for me to run down to the library to find a video. Also, these streaming websites also offer different lengths of videos. I hardly ever have time for a full thirty minute video but some of these websites might have a five or ten minute video that I could have time for. I actually HATE when I have to watch something on my classroom TV because it is tiny and in the corner. I love to use my projector and stream movies, instead.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like distribution systems are fading from the classrooms and being replaced by digital systems that work much better. I really wish that my school systems/school would switch to something like Safari Montage instead of our rarely used distribution/closed circuit system. We all have TVs in our rooms but they work intermittently. My TV finally clicked on the Channel 4 last week and my students were so freaked out because it has never turned on before. Our SLMS will digitally send out important videos or newscast through email now until we can get something more updated.
ReplyDeleteChrista, I think you are absolutely right that digital streaming will certainly replace closed circuit systems. They are so much more user friendly, and have an amazing amount of resources at the teachers' fingertips. I love the fact that many of the videos are shorter than a dvd, and that teachers don't have to go through the media center.
ReplyDeleteCherokee county uses Media Cast, which sounds similar to Safari Montage. I wonder if there are significant differences. Either way, not having to worry about copyright issues is another major plus to digital streaming.