Education via Live Satellite Webcasts

Streaming media is basically technology that enables you to listen to music and view video in real-time over the Internet without lengthy downloads. There are many things to consider when participating in or offering an interactive course live via satellite using streaming media webcasts. Here are the main concerns:

The students should have access to a classroom setting that has the proper resources to support participation in live streaming media broadcasts and distance learning in general. Communication between the students, instructor and support staff is extremely important as well. Contact information for technical support, including the broadcasting site’s technical support group, and the technical support for the remote sites, should be readily available to students as well as instructors. It cannot be stressed enough that technical support is absolutely necessary on both ends of the spectrum for live satellite webcasts to be successful. Should there be an issue with the webcast, a means to fix the issue should be readily available.

Once the correct setting, for receiving the live satellite webcasts as well as the broadcasting site itself is ready, there are a few more things to consider. It is imperative that archives of the streaming media broadcasts; copies of the presentation, lecture notes, and worksheets should be available and accessible. Course broadcasts should be accessible to those people with disabilities. For example, a person who is hearing impaired would have difficulties participating in the course if the type of course delivery relied heavily on audio materials.

Schools are not the only groups who choose to use live satellite webcasts for educational purposes. More and more hospitals and health education centers are also using live satellite webcasts to reach the general public. Often times parents and health officials are invited to watch a webcast regarding the latest in research and technology regarding a particular health issue. In some cases, those who participate in viewing a webcast will receive continuing education credits.

The advancement of technology has made it easier for many people to either state their cause to a large audience, educate those who want to learn as well as allow those who are physically unable to leave their home a way to participate. If you take all of the above into consideration and prepare everything according to what needs to be done, live streaming media webcasts can be effective and viable alternatives for participating in or delivering many different types of courses.