User Story from Spen Valley Sports College
Planet PC installed our E-Stream in August 2004 and this has proved to be an asset for the school with great potential. We have itemised our experience of the product in the categories below.
1. The innovative nature of the product
The encoding machine is designed and set up to record and convert media from a variety of sources into Windows Media files, which are then stored centrally. This is achieved through an easy to use interface considering its functionality. In addition to recording old videos and DVDs we can record directly from video cameras and television programmes and broadcast all of these live to the whole school if required.
At Spen Valley we like to embrace new technology if we think that it will benefit the students and staff and the E-Stream product fits in with this ethos. Due to its ability to run directly from a browser window using Windows Media Player the product is accessible to teaching staff of all abilities.
2. How the product supports or enhances the everyday life or work of
teachers, pupils or schools and colleges
The live streaming capability of the E-Stream product has proved itself by providing the opportunity for all students to witness the Sports College launch, when we were fortunate enough to have Patrick Stewart as our guest speaker. There was insufficient room in the main hall for all of our students to watch the launch, but in conjunction with our interactive whiteboards and the E-Stream live streaming we were able to broadcast the event to the entire school. This allowed all the students to feel involved.
Content is stored centrally and is fully accessible by all teachers, at all times. Once media has been recorded onto the server, they can run the content directly from their PCs and they don't have to rely on videos or any of the associated problems switching between devices in the classroom. This enables better classroom control and therefore enhances the lessons.
3. How the product has impacted on students' learning to what
extent and in what areas.
During a lesson more time can be given to discussion because it is easier and quicker to show the content when it is stored on the server and not on separate media sources. In the example of videos, the added functionality of being able to organise the content in chapters enables the teacher to select exactly the clip to show.
As a Sports College, Spen Valley needs to show the development of students throughout their time, especially in PE. Using the E-Stream product it will be possible to record the students' progression from Year 7 to Year 11. This individual video record will then be given to each student as they leave the College.
Planet PC
We have found Planet PC to be very professional, friendly, helpful and supportive and we have no hesitation in recommending Planet PC and E-Stream to other Educational Establishments.
A Cross
Headteacher