Thing 9. Streaming Video

Streaming video (or streaming media) is video that is transmitted over the Internet and viewed as it is being received. You don't have to wait for big files to download. Think YouTube or those episodes of Lost you watch online. In education, streaming video is the 21st century version of filmstrips and VHS tapes. But better, because you don't need to rely on an in-building or district collection of films and then hope they are available. Plus, no copyright issues when using an educational service. Many districts subscribe to Discovery Education Streaming (formerly UnitedStreaming) video-on-demand service, which offers "4,000 full-length videos segmented into 40,000 content-specific clips." In addition, it offers other resources including an Assignment Builder, Quiz Center, Writing Prompt Generator, and more Discovery Streaming offers video on almost any topic, from knife skills for FACS classes to history, English, science, and more.

Core

1. Find appropriate video on United Streaming. Check with your media specialist for log-in information. No UnitedStreaming in your district--find appropriate video on YouTube, TeacherTube, Google Video, or in another source.


2. Use another feature of the service--build a quiz, customize an assignment, or another improvement. Or try embedding a clip into another application to save time in your presentation.
   

Resources
Here are some ideas and tips for video in the classroom:

• Why Use Video in the Classroom from The National Teacher Training Institute (NTTI). NTTI provides teachers with the vision, strategies, and resources they need to make dynamic use of classroom technology. Lots more on their Web site.
• Tips on integrating video into lesson plans.
• General strategies for information and media literacy using video
• ALA Fact Sheet on Copyright and Video

Make the Connection
Using Discovery Streaming is a way to embed Reliable Resources into classroom teaching. All of the videos are selected by experts for their educational value.

Blog Prompts

• Blog about your experience with the video. Is this new to you/ Was it easy? Any problems?
• How did students react?
• How did the video enhance/improve the lesson?