Ustream

What is Ustream?
Ustream is a free, online streaming TV channel that //you// operate.

Why is it good for language classes?
Ustream allows any teacher (or member of the public) to set up "channels" and broadcast on any topic. As a result, your students could host a live show at any time on any topic you are studying or that they have researched. You can also schedule the show in advance and invite others to watch it live or to watch a recording if you choose to record the broadcast. This will allow you to potentially tap into native speaker contacts you have and invite them into the audience. Students have a real reason to communicate effectively.

How do I get Ustream?
Go to [] and create an account. You do not have to download anything to use Ustream--it runs directly off the internet. However, as you become more experienced, you may find that you want more sophisticated features, such as the ability to share your desktop while broadcasting. In that case, you can download "Ustream Producer" from the same web site.

How do I create and schedule a broadcast?
Once you log in to Ustream, you can broadcast immediately by hitting the "broadcast now" button. However, you can also create a show in advance, schedule a time when the show will be on and then come back to that show when it is time to do it and hit "broadcast now". Here's a tutorial: []

How do I stream live and record a broadcast?
Basically, you sign in. Then you go to the show you scheduled if you scheduled on in advance. Then, click "broadcast now." If you didn't schedule a show in advance, you can click the "broadcast now" button in the upper right corner of the page as soon as you've signed in. Here's a tutorial: []

Once you're broadcasting, the "record" button appears next to the broadcast button. Click the record button to start a recording. When you're done, click the button again to stop. Then you must save your recording with a name, a description and at least one tag (search term) in order to access the recording later. If you close Ustream without giving your video a name, description and tag, you will lose your recording.

How do I create a channel?
1. Sign into your account. 2. Click on your name in the upper right hand corner 3. A pull-down menu appears 4. Click on “Dashboard” 5. On the left, there is a yellow button that says “Go to Channel”. Under it, in small type is “Create another channel”. Click on that 6. Name and save your channel.

How do I access my videos?
1. Log into your account and go to your dashboard. 2. Select your channel. 3. Click on “manage channel”. 4. New window appears in the center (you can ignore it) and new options appear in the left. Look at the options on the left and select “my videos.”

How do I make videos public or private?
1. First get to your videos (see above). 2. Select the video whose status you want to change. 3. Look for a checkbox under or near the video screen that says “make public” or “make private”.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">How do I upload a logo?
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">1. Sign into your account <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">2. Choose the channel for which you want the logo. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">3. Click on Manage channel. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">4. Look for “Channel Picture” with an empty text field beneath. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">5. Click on “browse” next to the text field. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">6. Select the picture (must be a file on your computer) that you want to use. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">7. Hit “Save” after you’ve chosen and uploaded the picture.