Most people know that I have a bias for using technology to connect parents and schools, so it will come as no surprise that I got excited last night when Matt Montagne let me join in a uStreamTv sessions with his students making a broadcast.
Numerous teachers are now using this streaming media to present lectures and events. But Matt, being his own creative self, used this technology to connect his Grade 8 class (on a week long field trip to Washington DC) with their parents at home on their computers. In closed private Ustream session, several of his students reported their activities for the day. Students created a broadcast to tell viewers where they had been, how they traveled from place to place – what they saw and what they learned. All those questions parents have about the children – especially when they are under someone else’s supervision. Using the chat function that is a feature with Ustream, 26 viewers (parents and friends) were able to say ” Hi from Mom and Dad and your sister” “Missing you.” “Its great you are enjoying your trip.”
I know that I, as a parent, would be saying – oh thank goodness they are all right.
Matt is one of those intuitive teachers that understands the importance of involving parents and what parents want to know.
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We here at Ustream are thrilled with the acceptance of Ustream by the Educational community, we have many tips and techniques available for educators to help them broadcast on Ustream, including ways to help protect the kiddo’s and will solve most every problem you are liable to run into. So feel free to contact ustream in the manner that best suits you or your veiwers. Besides email you may also post in the forums or stop in and visit one of our live community channels
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ustream-users-community-forum or http://tinyurl.com/2zadfd
or http://www.ustream.tv/channel/aeiz