Broadband Interactivity Can Improve Operations For Public School Systems

Keeping in touch and staying abreast of information as it becomes available can be extremely important for businesses desiring to stay on the cutting edge and continue to be competitive in the global marketplace. Similarly, information and connectivity can be most helpful within large and small non-profit organizations, allowing its members, volunteers, and largest contributors to view quickly all of the exciting upcoming events and happenings while increasing efficiency and flow of daily operations. Small preschool cooperative organizations, large secondary and primary school systems, colleges, and community organizations of all shapes and sizes are turning to the Internet for valuable connectivity and inter-organizational interactivity.

Many public school systems are finding that the interoffice mailing system with its manila envelopes and endless amounts of paper shuffling is becoming nearly prehistoric, with its slowness of speed, inefficiency, and propensity for creating lost or mishandled information. Instead of grumbling about communicative inadequacies, many are finding the Internet to be boundless and easily adaptive in its application to replace old operations. Now, superintendents, board members, teachers, and even students can speed up communications with the ability to self-broadcast throughout the organization. Applications would include streaming video and live video and audio throughout the schools, allowing for high school students to make morning announcements, broadcast information regarding organizational fundraising, and even have fun by broadcasting creative skits, ideas, and stunts. Schools would be able to take their live video broadcasting between classrooms to a whole new level, using their camera and audio visual equipment in new and exciting ways, allowing for interactivity, not just live feeds. Students would be able to connect to the school’s website from on campus or off, watching proudly as their school wins the homecoming game or finishes first in the local music festival competition. School pride and spirit would soar with the ability to be connected to the student body and all of the exciting goings-on. As with any Internet site, security would be high on the priority and only students, parents, and those officially involved with the schools themselves would be able to enter and benefit from the exciting applications provided. Interactive applications offered could also involve the ability for parents to not only stay up to date on school performances and events, but even chat live with their students’ teachers for parent-teacher meetings that could work around any busy schedule. Chatting and student forums could also be made available for students and faculty, from their own laptop computers and school owned machines alike.

With the capabilities that broadband internet broadcasting can provide, school systems can become more of a community than ever, encouraging students, teachers, and parents to form cohesive bonds through technology that can transcend the school day and its periods.

About the Author: Gregory Demetriades is Chief Executive Officer of Whiteblox, a leading provider of integrated broadband video solutions.

Broadband Used as Multimedia Encyclopedia

Seemingly, the world gets smaller and smaller as each day, new technological advances in internet and computer technology allow us all to be more globally connected than ever imagined. As we do become more connected, the desire and need for information grows exponentially and millions across the globe look to broadband to provide this information in a timely manner. New platforms developed by broadband media companies are allowing the formation of online caches of knowledge and information, with the ability to stream multimedia presentations consisting of video, images, and interactivity for viewers.

Applications for this technology are limitless. Take an online music dictionary for instance. A well-established “brick and mortar” dictionary such as Grove’s would be afforded the ability to capture and inform a larger amount of viewers. Already existing online, Grove’s could further enhance its presentation and reach by allowing for streaming of musical performers, providing listening ability of composers’ most famous works through audio streaming, diagrams of historical inventions (think pianoforte innards), and images of famous compositions displayed instantly. The ability of online dictionaries and encyclopedias to grow and evolve as information and knowledge advances is truly one of their most attractive features. As new research is developed and historical information is uncovered, contributors would have the ability to upload information instantly, allowing the knowledge-hungry viewership quicker access to ideas. Of course, broadband would allow employees of Grove’s or other online encyclopedias and dictionaries the ability to closely monitor the content of their site; allowing them to check facts, sources, etc, and have the ability to edit content as well.

Glossaries and encyclopedias not only provide information, they can even help save lives. An online glossary provided by Florida State University and the non-profit organization Autism Speaks provides parents with streaming information allowing them to more quickly diagnose symptoms of autism in their own children. Autism Speaks online encyclopedia helps millions of parents of children with autism by providing excellent resources of how to better serve and help their children. Video clips, articles, and other tools are available to parents and educators instantaneously on a twenty-four hour basis, allowing not a second to be wasted when it comes to helping special needs children and adults living with autism.

Broadband media applications are ever expanding into all sectors of business, education, and finance. Researchers and developers at companies like global provider Whiteblox are continuously striving to provide the public with new and exciting ways to connect, educate, and invigorate.

About the Author: Gregory Demetriades is Chief Executive Officer of Whiteblox, a leading provider of integrated broadband video solutions.