The rise of distributed video and vodcasting
As predicted in 2005 (which in itself saw the rise of social networking and user generated content sites) 2006 saw a vast increase in video sharing, most noticeably youTube (www.youtube.com) . The fact that anyone can upload a video for others to then share, embed within websites (including blogs) and comment on has created a phenomenon which is both empowering and democratising. This blog already shows examples of embedded video from youtube and UH art and design students use youtube to host their digital animation projects.
This is echoed by Greg Downey on the Educational IT blog: “YouTube is just the latest and most spectacular example of how the democratization of the internet is about to change everything. For education, it seems to me, the populism inherent in the internet means one key thing: Call it student-centered learning, project-based education, constructivist pedagogy–all these related education philosophies and movements finally have a medium to give them genuine momentum.” Full details
Vodcasting is also on the rise with several universities already including short video as part of their podcasts, (check out also Marjorie Brodie’s work in this area also mentioned in this blog).
An article on the eschools news site states: “For instance, at the University of California, Berkeley, students and others all over the world now can access a special account through Apple’s iTunes U, where they can download webcasts of lectures and other events on campus to their desktop, laptop, or portable iPod. Many colleges and universities also have tapped video as a way of reaching out to prospective students, using online tours and other video resources as a recruiting tool to lure students who otherwise might not be able to visit the campus in person.” Recruiting is a particular point here as some UK universities are already using youtube in this manner (Liecester).
Top 10 ed-tech stories of 2006 Part 2
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