At Carrollton Junior High School, the closed circuit cable system is being replaced by Safari Montage, a digital distribution system that provides video on demand. This is the case for all schools within the Carrollton City School System. Every teacher has access to the features of Safari Montage with their login information. Teachers can log in to show videos and video clips to their classes for specific lessons and activities.
At CJHS, teachers can access any resources available through GPB United Streaming. Teachers have access to 9 different channels along with the CJHS production channel. Morning announcements and school news are taped every afternoon and then broadcast every morning at 8:20. This broadcast is the only thing CJHS actually distributes over their video distribution system. Other than this, the system is used as a resource within each classroom according to what the teacher wants to use for class.
The GPB Education site is an excellent resource for learning. It offers resources for teachers, students, and families. Safari Montage is also an excellent tool for video distribution within a school. Using Safari Montage, teachers have access to a vast number of video clips for use within their instruction.
It seems as though that Carrollton City School System is utilizing their systems as well as or better than other schools in the area. First, they are using it as a production tool. I believe it is an excellent opportunity to allow students to explore the area of production and broadcast. Most every subject area could be incorporated with these type projects. Secondly, they are using it to maximize teacher’s access to visual resources. As media specialists, it is our responsibility to assure and advocate for the resources teachers need to maximize instruction.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see Safari Montage. It sounds intriguing. Our teachers do a good job using GPB and United Streaming. They enjoy customizing the videos with MovieMaker and showing it through the schools's distribution system or in their classroom. Each school has three channels set-up for school-wide distribution. However, Most of the teacher prefer using the mobile carts, with laptops, 100' screens, TV tuners, and Speaker systems,when viewing videos with the entire class.
ReplyDeleteIt makes it easier to stop the video when you deem it necessary and the student can see the screen with ease. Most of the teachers will add stopping points in the United Streaming videos that the use regularly.
Our school has a closed circuit system, but it is rarely utilized. Many teachers don't even have tvs in their rooms. We usually use sites such as United Streaming (like your school) and brainpop projected on the smartboard. We are moving into a new school next year, and we have heard that the projectors will be connected to the closed circuit system.
ReplyDeleteOur new school will also have the ability to create news broadcasts. Now we have neither the equipment nor the space.
Safari montage sounds like an excellent resource. Our school is always looking into new resources to get for the students, so I want to look into it.
Safari Montage sounds interesting. We have a video distribution system (VDS) and access to GPB. Each room is currently equipped with a DVD or VCR player and most have an Averkey. (not as great as those with the LCD Projector) Of course it’s a bit of a hindrance to have the computer in use when there is always much to do. Our system is also used for school broadcasts, such as chorus concerts, the morning news show, the spelling bee and other school wide activities.
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