Using Streaming Video in Social Studies classrooms

Justin Staub
13 July 2006

What is it?

Streaming video is a way for subscribers to a particular site, like United Streaming, to view educational videos over the internet. Videos may be streamed without downloading, or the entire video (or just segments) may be downloaded. United Streaming currently offers over 2,600 complete videos online, with more than 26,000 clips to view independently. While a teacher may pilot this service for a 30-day trial, a high school site license for the service costs nearly $2,200 annually.

Who is using it?

Teachers with access to the internet are taking advantage of this resource worldwide.

How are they using it?

Teachers are using this to enhance daily social studies lessons by showing entire videos or video segments. Streaming video can replace the need for VHS tapes or DVDs. Also, as the video library grows, educators are finding a site like United Streaming widely useful. Teachers can also use Teachers are using this to enhance daily social studies lessons by showing entire videos or video segments. Streaming video can replace the need United Streaming to create online video assignments for students to access on their own time.

Some of the newest features include closed captioning for hundreds of video titles, citations for video resources, thousands of geography images from IRC/History Pictures, 200 lesson plans connecting to videos. United Streaming even has an assignment builder feature where teachers can bookmark videos for students to view from home, without the use of a personal account!

Why are they using it?

This new software makes learning more visual, and it is capable of replacing filmstrips. It adds a new dimension to any lesson plan, and it utilized modern technology to enhance learning.

Teachers are even using this site for professional development, including looking for tips on best practices, teaching writing and reading, and instructing science and math projects. These instructional videos may even meet requirements for a district's professional development credentials.

Resources

HOT Upgrades. (2005). Library Media Connection, Retrieved Tuesday, July 18, 2006 from the MasterFILE Premier database.

http://www.unitedstreaming.com -Discovery Channel’s United Streaming website

McCaffrey, M., & Minkel, W. (2002). New Database of Video Clips. School Library Journal, 48(11), 29. Retrieved Tuesday, July 18, 2006 from the MasterFILE Premier database.

Minkel, W. (2003). The Once and Future Video. School Library Journal, 49(1), 52. Retrieved Tuesday, July 18, 2006 from the MasterFILE Premier database.

Troutner, J. (2006). Best Sites for Professional Development Tools. Teacher Librarian, 33(4), 39-40. Retrieved Tuesday, July 18, 2006 from the MasterFILE Premier database.