unitedstreaming^tm is new to this year's list of district-wide online information resources.

What is unitedstreaming^tm?

unitedstreaming^tm is an Internet-based service providing access to video and audio clips, full-length videos, images and clip art, covering a wide variety of topics. The clips can be streamed in real-time or, saved to disc, stored on a server, burned to CD or DVD, and incorporated into PowerPoint presentations.

Streaming video has been called the "next big thing" in audiovisual materials (Brown, 2004, p. 54). Extensive searching capability allows users to match the clips to state and national standards including Wisconsin's Model Academic Standards.

The video and audio content provided by unitedstreaming^tm comes largely from content owned by the Discovery Channel, but also includes video and audio resources from other producers, including United Learning, Weston Woods, TV Ontario, Educational Media and Rainbow Educational Media (Brown, 2004).

The content provided by the Discovery Channel and other sources to unitedstreaming^tm is proprietary and unavailable from any other source. In addition to the many clips and full-length videos provided for general instruction, content devoted to professional development is also included. Educators will find video clips from the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, United Learning and Sunburst. Topics range from best practices, writing instruction, teaching reading, and science and math projects." (Troutner, 2006)

The unitedstreaming^tm multimedia content is both PC and Mac compatible.

Local Experience & Feedback:

The unitedstreaming^tm product was very well received by all the MMSD locations (Hamilton, O'Keeffe, Sherman, Toki and Whitehorse,) that were part of the pilot subscriptions during the 2005-06 school year. The product has also been well-received in recent reviews ("Hot upgrades," 2005; Keller, 2003; Lovely, 2004; Troutner, 2006).

In addition to our MMSD district-wide subscription, other larger Wisconsin school district's with current district-wide unitedstreaming^tm contracts include Kenosha, Racine, Eau Claire, Verona, Oregon and Waukesha. Hundreds of other individual schools in Wisconsin subscribe on a per site basis.

Availability

All MMSD staff members have been set up with unitedstreaming^tm accounts. Staff members can gain access to unitedstreaming^tm resources from anywhere on the Internet by going to http://www.unitedstreaming.com/. Both usernames and initial passwords have been based on the employee ID of each staff member.

unitedstreaming^tm content is available to all MMSD staff members and to students under a staff member's direction while using the District's wide area network (WAN). However, remotely, it is available only to staff.

Discovery Education markets a product to students and families that is similar to unitedstreaming^tm . The product is entitled Cosmeo. More information concerning Cosmeo can be found at http://www.cosmeo.com/.

Links to additional district-wide online information resources can be found at http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/lms/infoathome/.

References

Brown, L. (2004). Streaming video — the wave of the video future! Library Media Connection, 23(3), 54-55.
Hot upgrades. (2005). Library Media Connection, 24(3), p. 46.
Keller, J. (2003). unitedstreaming. Technology & Learning, 23(8), p. 16.
Lovely, G. (2004). Video on demand. Learning and Leading with Technology, 31(7), 38-41.
Troutner, J. (2006). Best sites for professional development tools. Teacher Librarian, 33(4), 39-40.