The idea of live broadcasting is a new one for me. I’ve made lots of screencasts, and I frequently use the ‘record’ function on my SmartBoard, but I’ve never hosted a live broadcast. We’ve recently installed a Scala Digital Sign system and are learning how to use it, but we probably won’t be ready to try livestreaming until next school year.
Last week was our school Science Fair. I’ve been working very closely with the Home & School Association developing the Library MakerSpace, and they asked me to help with the Science Fair planning as well. The idea was to make the evening more ‘Science is Fun’ for our K-4 school than stick to the scientific method. (No shooting – I’m just the messenger.) One of the areas I developed was Green Screen postcards. Our teachers were kind enough to model:
Last week was our school Science Fair. I’ve been working very closely with the Home & School Association developing the Library MakerSpace, and they asked me to help with the Science Fair planning as well. The idea was to make the evening more ‘Science is Fun’ for our K-4 school than stick to the scientific method. (No shooting – I’m just the messenger.) One of the areas I developed was Green Screen postcards. Our teachers were kind enough to model:
I thought it would be an interesting topic for my broadcast, although it wouldn’t take very long to explain and show the setup.
I then researched LiveStream, uStream and Webex, and even created accounts for two of them. I wanted to be able to show and talk about my setup, and that seemed really difficult. I’d need a lot of photos, and then either a slideshow or a way to have the photos readily available to share with viewers. I spent awhile on this – but none of them seemed to do it for me. Then I thought of Zoom. I’ve been part of several Zoom meetings, and PAECT, our PA ed tech organization recently purchased a license and agreement for us to use and could also help members with it. Unfortunately, this week (starting Sunday) was also the huge statewide tech conference sponsored by PAECT, so everyone – and I mean everyone – was pretty busy with that. One of my colleagues at work mentioned Lync (now known as Skype for Business) – and that was a good solution for me.
I then researched LiveStream, uStream and Webex, and even created accounts for two of them. I wanted to be able to show and talk about my setup, and that seemed really difficult. I’d need a lot of photos, and then either a slideshow or a way to have the photos readily available to share with viewers. I spent awhile on this – but none of them seemed to do it for me. Then I thought of Zoom. I’ve been part of several Zoom meetings, and PAECT, our PA ed tech organization recently purchased a license and agreement for us to use and could also help members with it. Unfortunately, this week (starting Sunday) was also the huge statewide tech conference sponsored by PAECT, so everyone – and I mean everyone – was pretty busy with that. One of my colleagues at work mentioned Lync (now known as Skype for Business) – and that was a good solution for me.
The other elementary school librarians were interested in my project, and we rarely get to see each other as 4 of us handle 5 buildings. Last year we used to have ‘Lync Lunches’ so at least we could have an occasional conversation. I got my screen shots ready and invited everyone to ‘lunch.’ I invited (via email) other people besides the librarians, but nobody else was interested in attending.
After 10 minutes trying to get everyone’s video and audio working at the same time, we were good to go. I went over my plan and set up, shared the examples and photos, and answered questions. We didn’t need the chat or messaging area as all of us were hooked up for audio. It went pretty smoothly, but as expected only took a few minutes. And I was unable to record as we weren’t set up for that feature. Blocked again!
The only way I could think of using live broadcasting with my students would be some kind of Skyping. I’ve had several people offer to help me with it when I’m ready, but with a crazy schedule of classes in and out all day I haven’t quite been ready to try it.
After all my research and the Lync meeting, I still wasn’t sure I had adequately completed this live broadcast assignment.
After 10 minutes trying to get everyone’s video and audio working at the same time, we were good to go. I went over my plan and set up, shared the examples and photos, and answered questions. We didn’t need the chat or messaging area as all of us were hooked up for audio. It went pretty smoothly, but as expected only took a few minutes. And I was unable to record as we weren’t set up for that feature. Blocked again!
The only way I could think of using live broadcasting with my students would be some kind of Skyping. I’ve had several people offer to help me with it when I’m ready, but with a crazy schedule of classes in and out all day I haven’t quite been ready to try it.
After all my research and the Lync meeting, I still wasn’t sure I had adequately completed this live broadcast assignment.
And then I found Periscope. My daughter told me that one of her courses uses Periscope. She wasn’t sure how it worked, she gets a link and joins in. Once again, I don’t know if I’m actually a Twitter dinosaur, but I hadn’t heard of Periscope before. Just in case some of you haven’t either, it allows you to live broadcast whatever and whenever you want. And you can choose to record and save your broadcasts. You can send tweets to your followers in advance. And once you begin, you can get a link. That’s how my daughter used it – her instructor would send the link and everyone would join in that way.
This is much more useful to me. I can walk around rather than sit in one place, show what I want to AND have that live audience. I can tweet out my plan, inviting others. And there are many tweeters who monitor what is on Periscope, either live or recorded. It is a very different experience when you have live viewers – and strangers, at that.
These initial attempts are a little embarrassing but hey – only way to go is up!
These initial attempts are a little embarrassing but hey – only way to go is up!
I had a little trouble with the orientation of the videos. They were only saved to my phone and apparently something was wrong with my setting. I used an app to rotate the first, but I think the quality was decreased. So the other two are sideways. Like I said, it can only get better.
Science Fair 1 Science Fair 2 Science Fair 3
Science Fair 1 Science Fair 2 Science Fair 3
The Periscope videos are saved to my phone. Although not advertised as such, and perhaps not the purpose, the videos can be edited, put together, embedded in other things, and who knows what else. I read about ways to have a different Twitter profile for Periscope, including a title screen or something like that. I’ve certainly got more investigated to do. But in the meantime, although I started the week a skeptic I can see many ways that Periscope or something like it can be used in my classroom. Perhaps instead of tweeting out some photos from MakerMonday this week I’ll get some video going. And it would be fun to share some tech tips and actual examples that way. The live streaming keeps it interesting and exciting, but the ability to save and link to the videos makes Periscope even better.