Will Richardson

Speaker, consultant, writer, learner, parent

UStream Upgrades–Private TV!

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Not sure if this has been blogged much but UStream now has a privacy feature as in the ability to password protect your show. That’s a huge first step that all of a sudden makes classroom television a little more palatable for teachers. Let’s kick this around a bit…this lets us provide a limited, invited audience to:

  • Poetry readings
  • Dramatic interpretations
  • Skype interviews
  • Homebound lessons
  • Lectures
  • Demonstrations
  • Debates
  • Interpretive readings
  • Concerts
  • Meetings (BOE, Administrative, etc)
  • Sporting events
  • Talent shows
  • Ceremonies
  • Assemblies
  • Food fights

What else can you think of???

As an aside, UStream has also done some sprucing up in terms of your ability to design our show homepage and other fun things. I’m going to be playing with some of the alternatives more and more this winter and spring, but right now, I’m liking UStream more and more.

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Comments

  1. Kern Kelley says

    Hi Will,
    I’ve been having my students do a tech help show using UStream for a couple months now. The premise is built around the students being available as tech support for the teachers in my district, but of course it’s open so anyone can watch. We’re still working on a safe way to manage a chat for questions during the show. But so far it’s been a lot of fun and a great way for the students to show what they’re capable of. If you would ever like to check it out, it’s called The Tech Curve and you can find it at http://www.nokomiswarriorbroadcasting.com on Tuesday’s, 3:30 EST.

  2. Patrick says

    Will,

    I have been waiting for this one for a while. We ran an environmental summit for our 7th graders back in November that we broadcast live via Ustream, but during one of the sessions we had some “undesirables” enter the chat room and use some language that was objectionable. It didn’t detract from the student experience, because they weren’t in the chat room, but parents, grandparents and students from around the country were.

    I couldn’t block them fast enough. Password protecting these broadcasts is ideal for the classroom setting. This will be on my todo list for the near future. Thanks for the update.

  4. Ustreamtech says

    Actually Ustream has always had the capability to password protect your shows but that is only one the features that make it great for educators. Multiple moderators, whom can be anyone you designate, can be assigned so the teacher doesnt have to spend his/her time moderating the chat. The moderators can instantly ban the offenders IP address to prevent further harrassment, etc. Feel free to contact Ustream at support@ustream.tv or ustreamtech@yahoo.com for any help you might need to make your show a success, Oh and welcome to Ustream!

  5. Ms. Mize says

    I am so excited about this. Through a blog I read I recently learned about a flip camera and have been pondering how to use it in the classroom. I was wondering how to be able to have my videos be more secure and make it easier to get the parents permission to broadcast them if they include students.

    I would use it for Reader’s Theater, book reviews and classroom presentations. I would also use it when presenting more difficult lessons so that students would have the opportunity to repeat the lesson if needed. It would also give parents the opportunity to peer into the classroom at times when they couldn’t be there. It could be used for coaching as well. I am thinking of cheerleading and teaching routines.

  6. a. woody delauder says

    This answers my question. I was trying to figure out a way to use USTREAM without my classes without having to get each parent to fill out a permission form. Unfortunately, most parents at my school still have a negative outlook on their child publishing on the internet.

  7. Brian Crosby says

    Will – My 5th graders and I would Ustream (and we have a bit) more class activities for parents to look in on. But so few students in my class have internet at home or parents that are connected at work that we get exactly zero viewers from parents or families. There’s that digital divide thing again! I’m still planning on doing more Ustreaming hoping that “If you provide it they will come,” kind of a mentality will bring a breakthrough of sorts. The kids are excited about it! We’ll see what happens.
    Brian