Video on Demand

Why video and multimedia?

The mission of MentorToGo Vision Planning Partner is to improve student learning through the use of technology. Unless technology is applied in the classroom, it remains a collection of hardware and software. The use of video and multimedia aids student learning in that it:

1. Explains concepts in a more concrete manner (see Dale's Cone of Experience) as compared to words (written or oral) or flat pictures.

2. It appeals to both the left and right brain through the use of words and graphics.

3. Has been proven to improve test scores.

Furthermore, I have seen unitedstreaming serve as a catalyst for the use of technology in schools and districts. They have concrete reason to improve their Internet infrastructure and provide presentation hardware for classrooms. I have witnessed a renewed or new desire in teachers to improve their technology skills so they can integrate videos and powerful images into their curriculum. Teachers get excited about teaching with videos because it makes teaching and learning more fun!

Why unitedstreaming.com?

In a word, unitedstreaming is robust. With one subscription teachers and students have access to 4,000 videos (40,000 clips), 13,000 images, 1200 clipart that can be downloaded for immediate use. The search interface is unique and easy to use--search by curriculum standards, view all titles, or do an advanced search. There are 1,200 editable video titles and hundreds of Spanish or Closed Captioned titles. Other resources include thematic Teacher Features, Calendar of Events, Writing Prompts, Lesson Plans, and integration ideas.

Sam's unitedstreaming Resources

You are welcome to download any of the resources linked below to assist your teachers and students understand and use unitedstreaming. Place your cursor over the link, right-click (PC) or Control-click (Mac) and choose "Save Target As" or "Download Link to Disk" depending on your platform and browser. Select a file name and location.

• V2.2 One-Sheeter
  Let's face it. No matter how great a resource is, if it seems too complicated to use many teachers will implement it when they have time. Here is an editable one-sheeter to help teachers get started right away.

• Digital Note Taking & Working with Images in Microsoft Word
  Encourage your students to take notes digitally instead of printing every web page they find useful. Not only will digital notes free them having to ever type the URL again, it helps them to consolidate notes from multiple sources. With lots of pages of notes, they'll also practice skim reading skills. Also, find useful tips on working with images in Microsoft Word.

• Creating High Impact Multimedia Lessons
  This handout explains how to find and download video clips and images from unitedstreaming, as well as how to embed or hyperlink videos into PowerPoint. Teachers will also quick tips for archiving lessons to CD helpful.

• Closed Captioning
  Up until recently, closed captioning could only be streamed on a Windows machine, but now you can also download them. Here are the directions for downloading the files.

• Training Certificate (from Discovery Education)

• PowerPoint - Integrating unitedstreaming Into the Classroom

• PowerPoint - Sound demo lesson
  I like to use this PowerPoint lesson to demonstrate the difference between embedding and hyperlinking video and how PowerPoint organizes resources from the Internet, Office, and more.

I have had the privilege of working with teachers, tech leaders and administrators across the United States. As of January 2006, I will have presented in 17 states. Not only does this give me first hand experience working with a range of organizations, but it strengthens my resolve to be a liaison between educators, business, academia, and government we work toward the common goal of improving student learning through the use of technology.

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