Ustream

= Communication Tool: Ustream = Group Members: Zuri and Paul


 * Screenshot or logo**



Brief introduction of the tool
Ustream is a site dedicated to video recording. This site not only allows you to record yourself and your voice through use of webcam and built in microphone, but it also allows you to send and receive text throughout usage. While most videos are watched live they are also saved on to the site for later viewing. The website also allows users to respond to videos with text, voice, or their own videos.

This tool is effective, efficient, and enhanced in comparison to other methods used for the same purpose. Ustream is effective as it allows the user to record whatever they wish in a time convenient for them while other users watch, and also allows other users to return to older videos. The site is efficient because not only does it record voice which allows things to be said faster than if they were written out, but it also does this in good quality along with video. It is enhanced as it is not one of the three ways of communicate, but rather all three combined. Video, voice, and text are all used simultaneously on the site to make it a more enhanced video for the viewer, and to give feedback to the creator during the process of creation.
 * ===//Advantages of the tool//===

While Ustream is a very good site for its many uses, it is not private or protected. While using this site, users are able to use abusive language and are also subject to it. There are no filters on voice, video, photos, or text, anything offensive uploaded can be viewed by anyone who wants to. Another thing that Ustream seems to lack is a method of editing. Users can create and save videos; they cannot edit or add to finished videos.
 * ===//Disadvantages (limitations) of the tool//===

Application of the tool in your subject area
Ustream can be used by many people in many different cultures, basically anyone with access to the internet. I think a good project for high school social studies students would be to research a different culture through contact with a person from that culture. The teacher can begin this by finding other students around the world to join together with their own and post links to their Ustreams. Students can listen to the other students talk about their culture as well as respond to them in text, video, or voice only. It would be helpful to find students in other cultures who speak a little English, but it may be just as useful for students to research cultures through an adult who speaks English, and possibly teaches in this culture.

Find a tutorial on YouTube
=Make Your Own Live Video Show- How To Use Ustream=

media type="youtube" key="EPZXkvl8cT0" height="340" width="560"

//List of key features showed in the YouTube video://
This is a very well done tutorial by a person that is known for producing quality technology tutorials. He goes a very good job of going very slow and steady. He explains each step very clearly. He also has a high definition feed of his screen doing the actions while he is talking, which gives the user a nice visual on how to use Ustream. The producer of this video does a really good job of going through all the settings and features of UStream. The user can always fast forward or mute the video if that certain setting or feature doesn’t interest them, which is nice.

This tutorial showed me how to:


 * Create an account
 * Use the Dashboard
 * View Stats
 * How to use the Video Preview
 * Use the Video/Audio Quality slider
 * Use the Webcam
 * Use the Mic
 * How To Embed to a website
 * How to add text, YouTube videos, screen-shots, etc to broadcast
 * How to customize channel

Useful Resources
Ustream Wiki Page

The Ustream wikipedia site, it gives a nice overview of what Ustream can offer. It will also always be updated and let you know about the most recent features.

BusinessWire: Ustream

This is a nice and long article that talks about UStream’s current successes. It also gives a good overview of the history of the site and how it got started.

PCmag.com Reviews UStream

This is a really good article that “reviews” Ustream. It is done by PCMag.com which is a really reputable source. It also has many links and pictures to go along with the article.