Adapted From
The One Hour Professional Development Course
Chuck Kish (ckish@saratogaschools.org)
Last updated: October 16, 2003
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Please bear in mind that different parts of the system are occasionally upgraded. This may change some of the functions and procedures listed here. |
B. How Does Streaming Video Work?
C. How Do I Find Videos To Use?
D. How Do I Control Videos I Am Viewing?
E. Is One Viewer Better Than The Other?
F. Can I save Selections For Future Use?
Streaming is a technology that allows video (as well as audio, and other types of web content) to be viewed while the files are still being downloaded rather than having to wait for the complete download to finish.
B. How Does Streaming Video Work?
The district has contracted with United Streaming to have available hundreds of hours of educational video that has been digitized. United Streaming provides a searchable database of all of the videos available. The best feature of the system is that each video is also broken down into smaller segments so you can use just the right piece or pieces to support your lesson. Once you have selected a video segment to watch and click the link, you are connected to the server at the high school so the video is fed directly from there, staying within the district's system for more efficient downloads.
C. How Do I Find Videos To Use?
Follow these simple steps:
1. Use your normal method to go to the Internet
2. Browse to “saratogaschools.org”
3. Click “Academic Services” on the right side
4. On the left side, choose the “Video Search” link
5. You may already be at the search site – if not, click the button on the upper left to take you there
6. User = sscsd Password = sscsd You do not need a passcode. (sscsd is easy to remember -- Saratoga Springs City School District)
7. Type in keyword(s) for your search or use the dropdown boxes to select subjects to browse.
8. Review the title, summaries, times, and suggested grade levels of the selections displayed.
9. Click on any of interest to see further a breakdown of the video. For most you can view the whole video or shorter sections by topic that may be appropriate for particular parts of lessons. In addition, some videos will list teacher guides, black line masters, or other supporting materials.
10.
Once you’ve made a selection click
or
to
view the video or video segment. See the next section for details about running
the videos.
11. Always “Log Off” when you have finished.
D. How Do I Control Videos I Am Viewing?
FUNCTION |
WMHT Embedded Viewer |
Windows Media Player |
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Start Video |
Click
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Click
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Play Full Screen |
§ Click “PLAY FULL SCREEN” § Right-click video, click zoom, click Full Screen |
§ Alt-Enter (toggles full screen) § Right-click video, click zoom, click Full Screen § Click View menu, click Full Screen |
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End Full Screen |
§ Escape Key (Esc) § Alt-Enter (toggles full screen) § Right-click video, click “Exit Full Screen” |
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Pause/Play Video |
§ Pause Button/Play Button § Ctrl-P (only in full screen mode) |
§ Pause/Play Button § Ctrl-P (anytime) |
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E. Is One Viewer Better Than The Other?
Everyone will have their own preference. Here are some points I have found to be true.
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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WMHT |
§ Everything is on one screen. § All controls are obvious. § Most direct method. § No external viewers needed. § Alt-Enter does not switch to full screen view |
§ Cannot pick any particular spot in the selection being viewed § Re-streams video each time video is played. (Can cause delays when network traffic is heavy) § You cannot select anyplace to start the video or the segment – you must watch it from the beginning. |
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Windows Media Player |
§ Once entire video or segment has downloaded, it does not have to re-stream to play the video again. This means that after you have watched it once it will begin immediately from then on – AS LONG AS YOU HAVE NOT CLOSED MEDIA PLAYER. (This avoids any dependence on network traffic.) § Once entire video or segment has downloaded, you can select anyplace you want to start the video – AS LONG AS YOU HAVE NOT CLOSED MEDIA PLAYER. § Video loads in new window. § Alt-Enter toggles full screen in either direction. |
§ Video loads in new window § You have an extra program to deal with. § It is not as immediate or direct. § On some systems the viewer starts as an embedded viewer and is controlled slightly differently. |
F. Can I save Selections For Future Use?
Yes, by using the Playlist feature. To create a playlist and add selections to it follow these steps:
1.
Click the “add to playlist” button
beside
the selection you wish to save. The “Add Clip To Playlist” window opens.
2. If you do not already have a playlist, create your playlist. Select “A new playlist” and type the name you want in the box. Consider using your last name, or your last name and a topic, or a grade level, etc. Click “continue”, a new window appears letting you know your selection has been saved to your playlist. The next time you use the playlist feature you will see you playlist.
3. If you already have a playlist, select your list. Click “continue”, a new window appears letting you know your selection has been saved to your playlist.
4.
You can manage your playlist by selecting the “PLAYLIST”
menu item. The “Playlist Manager” window opens. From here you can play a
selection, rename your playlist, delete the entire
playlist, or remove
items
from your playlist.
All Rights Reserved,
May 2003