I wanted to share something we have been working on (here in Ottawa) for the last little bit to help make tings easier for teachers interested in podcasting/video sharing in a safe environment. Its called "Netcaster". It is essentially a home grown podcast/video streaming server, where teachers can easily host their content/student produced work in a safe (yet still social!) environment.
Rather than over describe it, here is a (too long, I know...) screencast showing how it works. Feedback appreciated as well as any ideas to improve it. I will eventually clean up the code and publish it somewhere (just working out some additional features for a progress bar showing upload of larger files, and hopefully automatic conversion of video to flash video a la Youtube...)
Keywords: netcaster
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Awesome! So is the idea then that if another board is interested, they would set up their own, on their own server, using the source code that you will make available?
Jim
@jim
yes, that is the idea. Seems to be working well now, so just a few things to clean up and then I'll post the code somewhere (maybe eduforge.org). Server requirements are fairly basic (php and mysql)
Looking good Tim!
I love the option of protecting some files, while opening others to the public. I can think of a few specific reasons one might need the option of a walled garden approach. As simple as the interface is, it reminds me that we have a lot of work to do just to inform teachers about the many types of media that students can produce!
I look forward to the day that the sharing of student authored media is the norm rather than the exception...