Overview of streaming video and
a brief technical description.
Technology Overview:
Streaming media is audio and video content that is digitally
encoded and transferred over a computer network or the Internet
for viewing on a multimedia-equipped PC. It is not downloaded
as a file, but rather is played as it arrives – on
demand. There is no special software to be loaded.
How it works:
Using the Mediasite System, the Streaming Video captures
the instructor on video and audio as well as all accompanying
materials from any RGB source - PCs, Macs, laptops, document
cameras, and touch screens. Course content is then saved
in a digital format which can be viewed from any standard
web browser over broadband Internet connection.
What does the student see?
Students see streamed video with audio as well as the presentation
materials in a typical slide format. A slide can be viewed
full screen by selecting “Max Slide.” View all
of the slides in a presentation format by selecting “Slide
List.” Video controls enable you to stop, pause, review,
or fast forward through the Instructor’s presentation.
This is available twenty four hours a day – seven
days a week from any computer that has broadband quality
access. Courses are generally available for viewing within
24 hours of their on-ground delivery.
We have partnered this dynamic educational tool with a
powerful communications tool. The Blackboard system that
works with Mediasite allows electronic access to course
syllabi, instructors, assignments, tests, and much more.
This combination allows instant access to your instructor
via email and presents pertinent course material in a secure
environment.
Recommended System Requirements:
In order to view these presentations via the Internet, you
will need a high-speed Internet connection such as cable,
DSL, or a T1 line. Javascript should be enabled in your
web browser (this should be the default).
Testing Your Computer:
To find out if your computer is capable of viewing a Mediasite
presentation, view a sample presentation that was recorded
in Mediasite: http://nustream.neu.edu/mediasite40/catalog/
If you are unable to view the presentation, please review
the system requirements below and follow the steps for configuring
your system.
System Requirements:
| For Windows XP Users |
Internet Explorer 6.0 and Windows Media
Player |
| For Mac OS X Users |
Safari, or Firefox 1.0 or later; Windows Media Player
9 for Mac can be downloaded
here |
| Intel Based Mac OS |
Windows Media Player 9 for Mac is not a Universal
appliation and the browser must be forced to run under
Rosetta emulation:
- First exit all browsers.
- Next go to the Appliations folder and "Ctrl
+ click" the browser icon (e.g. Safari, Firefox)
and click on "Get info."
- Check the box labeled "Open Using Rosetta"
- The next time the web browser is launched it will
run under Rosetta emulation.
|
What does the student need to do to access Streaming
Video:
In order to view streaming video classes, you must be enrolled
in a streaming video section of a course and have a myNEU
account. You will then be able to access the Blackboard
system and your course. Below is more information that should
help you understand the streaming video process.
Basic information after registering:
The streaming video links are available and posted to NU's
Blackboard once the classes begin. The lectures are captured
and made available approximately 24 hours after the live
capture. For courses which were previously captured, the
lecture links are available on Monday of each week. In the
event of a Monday holiday, the lectures will be posted on
Tuesday of that week.
Students gain access to the streaming video lectures through
their Blackboard account (either via your "myNEU account
or http://blackboard.neu.edu/).
To view the streaming lectures, simply click on the appropriate
link on the Course page. (See "Recommended System Requirements"
above for system requirements.)
If you need help with myNEU or Blackboard, contact the
Northeastern University Help Desk at 617-373-4357, or online
help at http://help.neu.edu.
When you log into Blackboard, the first page, "My
Institution," will show you what courses you are enrolled
in under the "My Courses" module. It will show
you the course number and title. Click this link to enter
your course area. You will see a menu on the left, click
on "Streaming Lectures" and read the instructions
to view your streaming lecture. Courses are generally available
for viewing within 24 hours of their on-ground delivery.
Once a lecture is posted to Blackboard it is available for
a period of 3 weeks (based on the instructor's preferences).
