Intro to MediaCAST™

Intro to MediaCAST™

Instructor: Craig [email protected] | 800.474.5128 x804

Support:[email protected] | 800.474.5128 x3

mailto:[email protected]


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Introduction► Inventive Technology is based in Colorado and

has been serving the educational market for 7 years.

► Why computer-based learning?– Multimedia enhances learning.– Safer/more effective storage method.– Ease of access increases usage.– Built-in rights management to help you enforce

your organization’s Fair Use policies.

© 2009 Inventive Technology, Inc.

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Learning Objectives

► Access your MediaCAST URL and log in.► Search and find resources using different

methods/criteria.► Use the Toolbox features to enhance

usage.► Get further help and training.


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What is MediaCAST?


Stored on/ streamed from a

server

Used on-demand, in the classroom and

beyond

Content sourced

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Resources


Slide shows

Lesson plans

Scanned material

Audio content

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Types of FilesResource Type File Format

Standard Document Resources PDF, PPTX, DOCX, SWF, etc.

Microsoft Windows Media Video WMV, WMA, ASF, not AVI

Adobe Flash Video FLV, F4V, or MP4 (H.264 only), not SWF

Apple QuickTime MOV

MPEG-2 Video AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VOB

Real Networks RM, RA, RAM

Audio MP3

Image GIF, JPEG, PNG, BMP

Website or other URL e.g., http://www.yahoo.com

Live Broadcast and/or TV Channel e.g., live encoder at http://192.168.0.1:8080

Book, Text, Publication, Article Any non-digital Print Matter

Equipment/Tool/Object Any physical object.


* The use of some types of streaming media may require additional server software and configuration. Please review your order and consult with your Sales Representative for complete details.

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Login Page► Navigate to your

MediaCAST URL (i.e., mediacast.gcs.k12.ny.us).– If your organization elected

to set up a DNS entry, you may type “mediacast” in the address bar and press the Enter key.

► If your organization is using AD/LDAP integration, your credentials are the same as your network login.


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MediaCAST Interface


Find resources based on keyword

Glider: browse contents of the Digital Library.

Dashboard (3 elements)

1st-tier Tabs

2nd-tier tabs are determined by:• 1st-tier tab

selection • User rights.

Tutorial Resources

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Glider/Categories

►Browse the Digital Library rather than repetitively search.

►Multi-tier categories (up to 4 levels).

►Click View Listing under a category to see results.


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Dashboard► Each user can be greeted

by what is relevant to them.

► As needs change, dashboard selections can too.

► Selection of dashboard elements is user-specific.– Click the Edit link.

► New selections can be added by Inventive.


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Searching► Quick Search field is

prominent.► Results can be sorted by

things like Rating, Run Time, etc.

► Reservation icon is not present when resource access is not limited.


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Searching (cont.)► Use the filters and

restriction tools to view a subset of search results.

► Filtering may be done by:– Keyword– Type– Starting with


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Searching (cont.)► Search tab uses the

Search field at top to execute a keyword search.

► Use the slider to limit results based on Grade Range.

► View Options toggles between simple and detail views.


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Searching (cont.)► Custom Filters and

Media Resource types can be used to limit results.

► Checkboxes on the left will limit results to a specific category.


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Resource Page


Rating (Average)

Placing metadata, Segments and Standards in tabs reduces page scrolling.

Toolbox: Frequently used resource tools.

Execute new search based on metadata field.

Play controls, including Full Screen and Closed Captioning (when available).

Select another result from your search.

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ReservationsWhy?► Some content is set to limit

maximum simultaneous users.► Reserving a resource for a

particular date and time guarantees its availability to your login.

Create► Use the Reserve link in the Toolbox

(Resource Page).► Use the reserve icon in search

results.Access/Edit ► Click the My Media Resources tab.


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FavoritesWhy?► Allows quick access to

frequently-used resources.Create► Use the add favorite icon (

) in search results or the Add Favorite link in the Toolbox.

Access/Edit► Click the My Media

Resources tab.


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Snag-a-Segment™Why?► Use to designate start and end

points within a longer resource.– Available to Instructors and

above.

Create► Click the Snag-a-Segment link in

the Toolbox.Access► Select the Segments tab and

click the desired Segment Name.


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Snag-a-Segment (cont.)Edit/Delete► Click the edit icon ( ) to

the left of the desired segment .

► Many instructors can create segments in the same video. Unlike reservations and favorites, this is designed to be a collaborative feature.– Instructors may edit or delete

their own segments.


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Snag-a-Segment (cont.)► The first frame for a segment

may be set as a resource thumbnail.

► Thumbnails replace resource file-type icons in places such as search results.

► In the event that multiple segments have been set as thumbnails, the first in the list will be used (sorted in ascending order by start time).


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External URL Builder™

Why?► Use this tool to paste a

link in an external application.– Examples include email,

PowerPoint and Moodle.

Create► Click the External URL

Builder link in the Toolbox.


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External URL Builder (cont.)2 Types:► Basic:

– Require users to log in. Helpful when tracking who played a resource (Reports).

► Auto-login:– Enter your Username,

Password and set expiration options.

– Others will not be able to decipher your credentials from the link.


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External URL Builder (cont.)► Using External URL

Builder in conjunction with Snag-a-Segment allows for powerful lesson plan integration.– 1-click access to log in,

access the resource and advance to the pertinent starting point.


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Link Builder™ (Standards)

Why?► Use this tool to link

resources to standards.– As the library builds,

future users can search for content based on a standard.

Create► Click the Link Builder, in

the Toolbox.


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Link Builder™ (cont.)

Access► Access standards with associated resources by

clicking the My Courses tab.


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Digital TV


► All users may access channels by clicking the Digital TV tab.

► Tune to any channel by clicking the name/logo in the slider, at top.

► If many channels are present, use the group drop-down.

► Use the guide below to review programming.

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Digital TV (cont.)


► The TV listings grid displays channel data for all selectable channels.– Blue: actively tuned.– Gray: not actively tuned.– Green: tunable

(Managers and above may click the channel name in the grid to select a different channel).

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Getting Help

► Contact your local help desk.– They will be aware of local network/power status.

► Tutorial videos available via the HELP link at top/right.

► Contact Technical Support:[email protected] or 800.474.5128 x3

► Contact your trainer: [email protected] or 800.474.5128 x804




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Q&A/Practice


Documents

Intro to MediaCAST™