Worldbridges Megafeed

Webcasting Setup:

I'd hoped to try both Sam (using my PC) and Nicecast (on my Mac), but ended up just using Nicecast to stream because of lack of time. I'm hoping to try out Sam in August. I've included the details of my PC below too, as I've been using both during the Skypecast, and for recording.

PC: AMD Athlon XP 2200+ 1.8 GHz, 768MB RAM

- Windows XP (Home) 2002 , Service Pack 2

Mac: Mac Mini (Power Mac 10.2), Power PC G4, (1.5)

- Mac OS X - Version 10.4.6, Memory 512 MB DDR SDRAM
Wireless AirPort Extreme

As I said above, I've recently been using Nicecast to stream the audio. At first, I found it easier to concentrate on managing the hosting of a Skypecast, and while I was doing this I played with capturing the audio using various tools, from Audio Hijack (on the Mac), Audacity, and PowerGramo and Hot Recorder (on the PC).

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I am excited about meeting everyone!

Hardware --
PowerBook G4
Mac OS X - Version 10.4.7
Memory 512 MB DDR SDRAM
Wireless AirPort Extreme

For software I use Nicecast, Skype and WireTapPro for streaming and recording with the Nicecast recording the audio as well for backup. I use Audacity or GarageBand for post-production of audio. I have used a Planetronics headset with mic and mic mute/headphone volume controls, a usb LogiTech mic, and am now experimenting with an M-Audio FastTrack recording interface (mic pre-amp and digital converter) with a Shure SM57 mic.

For me the biggest hurdle initially was broadcasting from within the school network. I could not connect to the stream due to filters at schools so I had to be connected by the home team (Dave, Jeff, Alex, etc) and host from Skype which does work at the school. From home streaming is easy, but I had to work on making sure all the audio settings on the mac were set correctly so I could be heard on the stream. By watching the audio LEDs in Nicecast, I know if I am getting a signal from my voice as well as from the participants joining me. Echo/Sound Test Service (echo123 in Skype) will give you a connection to test this detail.

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Just getting ready for the adventure of Webcast Academy. Looking forward to meeting new people and learning a new type on conversation.

Our featured guest this show was Susan Appleton, one of the teacher coordinators for the Bunbury Senior High School BEACh (Bunbury Extension and Challenge) Program. This program seeks to extend students academically. Sue gave an excellent account of the program and the impacts that it has had to date on the students and teachers involved. We look forward to some follow-up sessions with Sue in the months to come about other school programs she is involved with.

Download mp3 (28.9MB, 32min)

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For my "rig" I've been using a Dell Latitude D800 1.50 GHz laptop with a Pentium M processor and 512 MB of RAM. I've also used a USB microphone and wireless (802.11g) internet connection.

For software I've used SAM Broadcaster, Virtual Audio Cables / Audio Repeater, Skype and Audacity for streaming, recording and post-production of audio. For me the biggest hurdles to overcome have been getting audio settings as they should be so that "both sides" of the conversation can be heard over the stream, "issues" within Skype and post-production itself.

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Hi Susan, The way I have done this is to go to google calenders, click on the down arrow on the calender you want to subscribe to and you will see a settings link. There you will see a place to select the Calender Address...click..and copy the address. Go to iCal, click on Calender...Subscribe.... and paste the address in the Subscribe To window. Hope this helps. Lee

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Here is a sample of the ideas I have for the Book of Webcasting. Understand that no links are working or set up yet. I have basically taken what we had and typed an explanation of what I will do with the book's home page if we all agree on it. Check this link out and let me know your ideas to add to mine. I will get this done for the new start of interns next week. By the way, I was thinking of using some pop up boxes...anyone know if drupal will support that code? Thanks, Lee My Layout Ideas for the Book of Webcastin

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Audio from our July 13 Brainstorm
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Jeff and Doug are joined by Drew for a discussion about audio. We talk about the importance of starting with good quality audio, and what can be done in "post-production" to make audio sound better.

I had some "Skype issues" that meant the loss of the some of the discussion and I'm especially looking forward to having Art and Cathy back for a brainstorm about "best practices" for teaching keyboarding skills to K-6 students.

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Here's a link to another Google Calendar, this time for Webcastacademy. To move events between calendars, you can use the "Copy to my Calendar" feature for individual events in the calendar. Click on "Copy to my Calendar" and then select the calendar you'd like (in this case, the one for Webcastacademy.net) to make a copy of the event. The question has also arisen about the pop-up window that asks if you'd like to "add this calendar" each time the Google Calendar button is clicked. I've been clicking on yes in this instance, and it appears to go directly to the calendar without over writing it. You should all have read/write/modify access to the calendar -- please advise if you have difficulties with access.

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Laura Chapin has been kind enough to agree to come and give us some tips on interviewing. She's cool... and knows the field. Come on out, ask your Questions!
8pm EDT. Midnight GMT.
Download mp3 (26.1MB, 57:00)

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Haven't heard from anyone regarding "issues" with the Worldbridges.net calendar, and I'm hoping it's a case of no news == good news ;-)

The calendar's time is set to Eastern (North America), although I think some of the entries are still showing in Pacific (North America) time.

Please advise of any troubles you have by posting here, and please do add or edit an entry to the calendar. I'd like to have some posts from different time zones to see how the calendar reacts. This will help to assess the viability of the calendar for our purposes here.

I'm sure that most of you know about the Electronic Village Online (EVO) that is organised before the TESOL annual conference every year (end of January-February), and which allows anyone who is interested (mainly, but not only English teachers) to participate in a 6-week online professional development session.

Last year, the 2006 EVO sessions offered a wide variety of online collaborative sessions, and there was a lot of interest in Podcasting (the Yahoo group set up for the event still has over 250 members), and I'm sure that this kind of event would be a great way of opening up the Webcast Academy to a wider audience (participants are usually from all parts of the world), and also of creating more webcasters for the World Bridges community.

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Hi everybody. Sorry I missed last evening's Academy meeting, I look forward to catching-up on the audio. Here's a link to a subscribe button for the Google calendar I've been working on for our webcasts. (Even though it is named "Worldbridges.net" it is the calendar for the Webcastastacademy, and all interns should have edit/write access to the calendar). The calendar is now, by default, set to Eastern time. Please take a moment to add an event to the calendar to ensure that you're able to edit the calendar. Post a comment to this post to advise of any difficulties you experience.

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Audio from our July 3 Meeting
Download mp3

Discussion about graduation requirements for the Class of 1.1, procedures and curriculum for Class of 1.2, and a variety of other items on the Worldbridges To Do list.

Next Meeting - Tuesday, July 11 5pmPDT/8pmEDT/midnight GMT

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Thanks to all those who sent in applications to become part of the Class of 1.2.  We are delighted to announce that all those who applied have been accepted.  We will be sending out  'Admission Notifications' shortly. Thanks again and we look forward to beginning the webcasting fun soon.

Applications for the Class of 1.2 are due by July 16,  internships begin July 23, and all assignments are due by September 30, 2006.  Details of requirements are below.

If you are interested in participating as an intern, please complete the 'personal' and  'Webcast Apprentice' portions of your profile and use the Contact Form to send us a short note confirming your interest.  Interns should plan on spending at least 2~3 hours/week working on Academy related tasks and participating in a collaborative learning community.

Webcast Academy Admission Policies, Program Requirements, and Certifications

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Hello Fellow Interns,

  This is still a first draft and none of this is etched in concrete.  Thought I'd go ahead and publish it though to start getting everyone's feedback. 
Thoughts? Questions? Suggestions?

Thanks,
Jeff

Class of 1.1 'Graduation' Requirements.

In order to complete the 'Basic Program' at The Webcast Academy, interns will need to

• produce 3 live interactive webcasts and publish them to their Webcast Academy blog
• successfully participate in a Finals Week Webcast Relay
• complete a 'Webcaster's Report' detailing the methods used, obstacles faced, and solutions found.

Webcast Production includes

a) successfully streaming the audio (without any coaching or assistance),
b) hosting or co-hosting at least a 30 minute show, and
c) recording all of the show's audio and editing it to a 'listenable' quality

Publication includes

a) posting show notes that include links to sites mentioned, an overview of topics discussed, and chat logs (graphics are not required, but encouraged in moderation)
b) including a download link and flash player listening option for the audio

The Finals Week Relays take place during the final week of the academy term (July 24~31).  At least 3 interns must participate and take turns 'grabbing the stream' at least 3 times from each other.  This is intended to measure the interns ability to handle high pressure, last minute, and/or unexpected webcasting situations.

The 'Webcaster's Report' is designed to help the the Academy build a database of information about the hardware, software, and troubleshooting involved in webcasting. Each intern will provide detailed information of their 'rig', methods, and obstacles encountered.

The deadline for all requirements is July 31, 2006.   Upon review and approval by the 'Mentor Council', interns will receive a Webcast Academy Certificate of Webcasting Proficiency. As long their webcasting focus and approach are compatible with Worldbridges Values & Goals and they have completed a Worldbridges Webcasting Application, graduating interns will also receive a 'Worldbridges Webcasting License'.  This license is a pre-requisite for becoming a webcast producer on any of Worldbridges channels or sites.

 Upon completion of the Basic Program, interns are asked to server on the 'Council of Mentors' for at least one future Academy session (not necessarily the one immediately following theirs). They are also eligible to receive advanced certification from The Webcast Academy (details of which will be ironed out during future Academy meetings).

Applications for The Webcast Academy Class of 1.2 are due by July 16, 2006.  The Opening Ceremony will be held July 23, 2006 in conjunction with The Class of 1.1.'s Finals Week Assembly.

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Here's an attempt at web-publishing of a Google calendar. All times GMT.

Just wanted to let folks know about the live stream and chat room from Gnomedex today and tomorrow.
Links from http://chris.pirillo.com/2006/06/30/streaming-media-links-2/

• Audio is streaming live (Sponsored by GoDaddy)
• They have an IRC chat room online
• Video will be live only for the Senator’s keynote (through the official streaming page, and if you have any problems with it, please ask for help in the chat room).

  Schedule Below(times in PDT)

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Webcast Academy

Show Notes for Webcast Academy 66

Tech Talk

• Pre Show Sound Check -- noise, audio levels, microphone selection and troubleshooting, final "rehearsal" to check hardware and software details, recording and encoding (how to set it up)
• Post Show Blog Entry -- mp3 and flashplayers, audio editing (amplify, compression, noise removal), ID3 Tags, enhanced podcasts, directions in Book of Webcasting for blog entry

Admin

• Graduation of 1.1 Interns -- July 31st graduation (3 posts and notes), grad certificates and use of airtime, continuing ed, ftp access
• Calender -- feed rss into Chat Room, webcasters responsible for providing rss feed
• One sign for all Worldbridges websites
• Database and tags as both archives and collection of resources
• Newsletters -- needs to be active

Download mp3

WebcastAcademy66

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