ThomasJG District Streaming Media Plan

Streaming media is audio and video that can begin to be viewed while it downloads into a computer.  Before streaming was introduced in 1995, the large, complex files that embodied AV content had to be downloaded entirely before they could be listened to or viewed.  This technology allows on-demand delivery options and simultaneous access by multiple users.  Apple, Microsoft, and RealMedia are the major commercial developers of the proprietary formats of streamable files.

The educational uses of streaming media are many and include

-         Teacher presentations, either original or gleaned from the Internet

-         Student presentations

-         Teacher training via commercial videos and home-made, modeled lessons

-         Increased communication with parents

Trenton Public Schools currently have a 100 Mbps local area network, and a team of able technicians to oversee and operate it.  We need to add a server or two with the capacity to handle the large files and access-on-demand of streaming media.  We need personnel who can program and maintain such a system.  Our Acceptable Use Policy must encompass the technology and require teachers to be careful in its use, because the attraction of streaming has not been lost on those who use the Internet for pornography and to spread hate and misinformation.  Finally, teachers need to be turned on to the possibilities, and trained in the use of streaming media.