Day 6 - Discovery Education (United Streaming)

Discovery Education/United Streaming (DE/US) is a resource that has been available at DDE for some time, but is surprisingly under-utilized.  There are many new features that could be of use and very exciting for our students at all levels, especially in correlation with a Promethean Flipchart.  If you do not have a username/password, please see Blackboard for directions to create a sign-in using our schools’ passcode.  (Blackboard>IRTCurriculum>Technology>Technology>United Streaming/Discovery Education Info.)

Using Discovery Education Streaming and DE Resources gets students energized and engaged in hands-on learning experiences.  Video is an instructional medium that generates excitement and is perfect for both visual and auditory learners. Video provides an innovative and effective means for educators to address the curricular concepts.

There is substantial research promoting the use of video in the classroom as a dynamic resource for supporting curricula.  Lori Griffin, Curriculum Director of Library Video Company makes the suggestions for effective use of video in the classroom:

• Prepare and plan for the use of a video in the classroom.
• Determine specific learning objectives.
• Develop an instructional sequence.
• Plan for reinforcement activities.
• Preview video to be shown prior to using it in the classroom.

Ok, so I might be biased, but I think one of the best features of DE/US is Professional Development.  You will see this on the main screen under the logo.  This feature brings out the many other ways Discovery Education can be used.  It walks you through the processes with clear step by step directions.

You Tube Video about How to Download a DE Video:

You Tube Video about Discovery Education's TEACHER CENTER Resources:

You can "bookmark" or save within your account in DE/US.  If you enjoy a video you find, and you want to use for it again on future projects, I would suggest saving it to “My Content.”  You can do this by checking the box on the right side of the main video. Then click “ADD” to My Content.  It will then prompt you to ask where you would like to save it.  You can just click “ADD TO SELECTED FOLDER.”

If you find that you would not like to save the entire video, you may just save a clip from the video.  Repeat the same process from above.

Another useful feature of Discovery Education is the Discovery Educator Network (DEN).  Here you can explore a variety of topics related to your classroom and how to bring modern methods and technologies into the scope of learning for your students.

  

There are so many features to explore, and they are all valuable resources.  I would encourage you to visit the different features of the site when you have a free moment.  (Ha, ha!  Free moment!   Perhaps a more realistic recommendation is to just try one thing at a time, until you feel comfortable and ready to explore further.)

 

Connecting (downloaded) DE/US Videos with ActivInspire:

Set Video to Play when Icon is Clicked

Step 1: Right Click on the page where the video will play

Step 2: Choose File Link

Step 3: Select the Movie file from saved location

Step 4: Choose how you want to see the file (Text, Image, or Action Icon)

Step 5: Select “Store in Flipchart” to ensure the movie will always be just a click away

—OR— 

Set Video to Play when an Object is Clicked

Step 1:  Select an Object from the Resource Library

Step 2:  Right Click on the Object to display a sidebar menu  

Step 3:  Choose Properties

Step 4:  Choose Actions

Step 5:  Choose File

Step 6:  From drop down menu, select “Play Embedded File”

Step 7:  Select “SET” and then use the browser to select the desired file

(Beware that Flipcharts with downloaded videos are very large!  You might just want to link the video from the DE/US page to stream to your Flipchart.)

 

For effective video integration ideas, check out THIS DOCUMENT by Discovery Education.