Live and archived streaming media events at Arizona State University. Webcast support for the events on this page provided by Applied Learning Technologies Institute - University Technology Office. For more information regarding ASU's webcasting services, please email: streaming@asu.edu .

ASU Fall Commencement 2007 Thursday, May 10, 2007 9:30am MST, Wells Fargo Arena Arizona State University For more information, please visit the Commencement website . Links to the live streaming broadcast will be made available here ten minutes prior to the start of the event. When the broadcast has concluded, a video archive version of the event will be available at http://itunesu.asu.edu.

	Download and ConfigureReal Player
	Download and Configure MS Media Player

The Access Grid is a network of resources that supports large-scale distributed collaboration. The technology, used by both commercial entities and I2 research institutions, takes advantage of extremely high-speed, high-bandwidth IP-based networks to create multipoint interactive environments. The Grid developed out of a project led by Argonne National Labs. Additional details on this effort are available at the Access Grid website.

Access Grid Nodes are technology-enhanced sites within the Access Grid network that enable a high-quality, tele-immersive, and media-rich, group-to-group experience. They consist of multimedia displays, presentation and interaction environments, interfaces to grid middleware, and interfaces to visualization environments. Examples of usage include large-scale distributed meetings, collaborative teamwork sessions, seminars, lectures, tutorials, and training. The nodes are also used as a research environment for the development of distributed data and visualization corridors and for the study of issues relating to collaborative work in distributed environments. Access Grid nodes are maintained by corporations, government entities, and academic institutions in over 50 countries worldwide.

For more information regarding the use of Access Grid at ASU, please contact Jim Casey at 480-965-8437 or jim.c@asu.edu.

Media Creation & Delivery Tools

Content Delivery

Streaming Media Farm - The University Technology Office administers a streaming media cluster for University faculty and administrative staff who want to use streaming technology as a tool to enhance their teaching and research activities. The application UTO provides to upload pre-produced streaming files is called Media Manager. The media cluster supports the following file formats.

• QT
• Real
• MS
• MS Producer

Media Manager is accessible at http://myasucourses.asu.edu . If you have questions regarding Media Manager, feel free to check out the Technology FAQs website. Email may may be directed to mediamanager-q@asu.edu.

ASU on iTunes - UTO has established a platform to facilitate ASU podcast production and delivery. We have partnered with Apple Computers to develop ASU on iTunes , where ASU podcast content will be stored and distributed using the iTunesU infrastructure, making it possible for every faculty member to provide course material in podcast media to their students. For more information on iTunesU, go to http://itunesu.asu.edu.

Mediasite - Mediasite is a content-capture solution for automated, "production-free" recording, organizing, publishing, managing and viewing of rich media content. UTO maintains a server cluster to house and deliver Mediasite materials. The following groups on campus use the Mediasite cluster:

• Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering
• College of Nursing
• University College
• College of Law
• alt^I – 5 production studios are equipped with Mediasite capture equipment

Apreso/Anystream – Apreso is a content-capture solution similar to Mediasite.  UTO also maintains a server cluster to house and deliver Apreso materials.  Encoding equipment has been installed in the downtown campus University Center to facilitate the capture of courses.  

Content Creation

Breeze Presenter - The Breeze Presentation Creation Environment is a centrally licensed and supported development resource administered by the University Technology Office, to enable faculty and staff to create narrated, synchronized Powerpoint presentations available for access via the web. NOTE: The Breeze Presenter license is currently under review. Questions regarding the Breeze Presentation Creation Environment may be sent to breeze-q@asu.edu.

What is Podcasting?

Podcasting is the merging of two technologies: Downloadable media (audio, usually) and RSS.

Downloadable media is simply a file (such as MP3) stored on a server that users can download and listen to. RSS is a technology that allows a user to subscribe to a podcast and have episodes automatically downloaded to their computer.

Ready for a Quick Start? See these links:

Getting Started with ASU on iTunes U
and our List of Suggested Equipment (available in PDF for Download)

Creating Podcasts at ASU, Overview

Podcasts at ASU may be used for either general public information such as promotional materials, guest lectures, public events, etc. or for delivering course content (lectures, videos, even digital print materials) to registered students.

ASU on iTunes U
ASU on iTunes U provides a user friendly, accessible podcast distribution mechanism for the ASU community. ASU on iTunes U leverages the Apple iTunes U infrastructure to facilitate storage and distribution of ASU podcast content; making it is possible for every ASU faculty member and researcher to effectively and efficiently provide podcast course material to students, colleagues, fellow researchers--the global community.

ASU on iTunes U, a Step-by-Step Guide to ASU podcast distribution

1. Determine if your podcast will be for Public or Private distribution. Public content may be downloaded by anybody, and is most suitable for guest lectures, promotional materials, and the like, while Private content may be restricted to a select group of ASURITE ID holders (e.g., course lectures intended for only registered students of the course)

2. Determine who will be responsible for maintaining your ASU on iTunes U podcast "Course/Channel". ASU on iTunes U content may be maintained by one or more individuals, so long as they have an ASURITE ID.

   Two Primary "Roles" are allocated for maintaining ASU on iTunes U content:

   • The "Instructor" Role has full editing privileges, including organizing the structure, content, and graphics of an ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel
   • The "TA" Role has the ability to upload and delete content in pre-defined areas designated by the Instructor
   • FYI, other Roles within the ASU on iTunes U environment presently include "Student," "All" (the general public), and "Authenticated/Unauthenticated." These Roles are primarily related to downloading content rather than uploading and maintaining content. It is not necessary to identify these Roles during your request, but they are mentioned here merely for informational purposes as such terminology may be present in other related ASU on iTunes U documentation.
   • ASURITE ID's are required for associated roles of Instructor and TA within ASU on iTunes U

3. Request your ASU on iTunes U "Course/Channel" using the ASU Course Request online web form located at http://my.asu.edu/courserequest
   • NOTE: Not all ASU on iTunes U podcasts need to be associated with an ASU Course. However, ASU on iTunes U is related to other ASU 'Learning Management Systems' such as Blackboard and Sakai as part of the overall ASU Distributed Learning Platform, and therefore the same ASU mechanism (my.asu.edu/courserequest) is used to establish and administer related environments and associated roles such as "Instructors" and "TA's" within each.

   Presently, the output ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel requests from my.asu.edu/courserequests notifies staff within the ASU University Technology Office, who will create your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel within the Apple environment. You may be contacted personally for additional information to verify that your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel is created in the most suitable manner possible.

4. Access to ASU on iTunes U Courses and Channels

   Instructor/TA Editing

   • Once your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel has been created, you may access it for Editing and for Uploading Content using the "ASURITE" button located on the ASU iTunes U home page (itunes.asu.edu). As either an Instructor or TA you will be able to Edit your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel and Upload content using the provided links with ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel that will only appear to Instructors and TA's. Additionally, as an Instructor you may select the "Edit Page" links and the "Edit Access" links which provide additional tools for adjusting the organizational structure, graphics, and access to you ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel.

   Private - Student Downloading of Content

   • If you have identified your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel as 'Private' then only registered students enrolled in the ASU Course associated with the designated ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel will be able to see and download content. These students will also need to login to ASU on iTunes U using the the "ASURITE" button located on the ASU iTunes U home page itunes.asu.edu.
   • Additionally, you may place a link directly to your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel on any web page (e.g., within Blackboard or Sakai) which will take students directly to your content after their identity (their ASURITE ID) has been verified. [Tip: Right Click on any content within an ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel to "Copy iTunes URL" to obtain the link to be placed in an external web page]

   Public - General Public Downloading of Content
   

   • ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel that is available for Public distribution may be accessed using either the "ASURITE" button located on the ASU iTunes U home page itunes.asu.edu or the "PUBLIC" button also located on the ASU iTunes U home page itunes.asu.edu. Direct links on external web pages to Public content may be made as well.

Recording Equipment

Download the "PodcastGear" PDF

These equipment packages are viable for recording quality audio to be used for podcast programming. Content may include educational programming, public presentation materials, as well as research and/or other distributed media applications.

Simple, effective, and inexpensive recording of a Single Source

• Existing personal computer with audio input capabilities (most all newer computers meet this requirement) $N/A
• Audio Recording and Editing Software such as Audacity ($Free)
• Built in microphone, or inexpensive digital USB or Analog headset/microphone ($10.00 - $20.00)

Presenter Audio Only

• Wireless lavalier (lapel) mic (Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 Series - $499.99)
• Multi-channel audio mixer (Yamaha MG102 - $99.00)
• Digital audio recorder (Marantz PMD660 - $499.95)
• Assorted cabling

Mixed Recording of Presenter and Audience Questions

• Wireless handheld mic (Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 Series - $499.99)
• Wireless lavalier (lapel) mic (Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 Series - $499.99)
• Multi-channel audio mixer (Yamaha MG102 - $99.00)
• Digital audio recorder (Marantz PMD660 - $499.95)
• Assorted cabling

Podcast Host Only

• Studio mic (Heil PR40 - $269.95)
• Multi-channel audio mixer (Yamaha MG102 - $99.00)
• Digital audio recorder (Marantz PMD660 - $499.95)
• Assorted cabling

Podcast Host and Interview Subject

• Two studio mics (Heil PR40 - $539.90)
• Multi-channel audio mixer (Yamaha MG102 - $99.00)
• Digital audio recorder (Marantz PMD660 - $499.95)
• Assorted cabling

These recommendations are provided as a general guide, and do not represent all possible or reasonable options. Similar equipment is available from a wide variety of manufactures and vendors. Generally, the suggested price ranges will be fairly consistent among different manufactures of similar equipment.

Creating ASU on iTunes U, Podcast Content

ASU on iTunes U supports a wide range of digital media content, including Audio, Video, and even Digital Print materials such as PDF.

You may create your content using any number of media specific applications. Content is uploaded into your ASU on iTunes U Course/Channel using "Upload Files" link in iTunes which will launch a standard web browser and form used to manage your ASU on iTunes U files.

Audio files can be in AAC or MP3 format with the appropriate file extension (.m4a or .mp3). Video files can be in MPEG-4 or H.264 format with the appropriate file extension (.mp4, .m4v, or .mov). PDF booklets must have the .pdf extension.

For audio files, Apple recommends the following:

• Audio Format: AAC-LC (Music)
• Data Rate:128 kbits/sec
• Channels:Stereo
• Output Sample Rate:44.100 kHz
• Encoding Quality:Better

For video files,Apple recommends the following:

• Video Format:H.264
• Data Rate:256 kbits/sec
• Image Size:320 x 240
• Frame Rate:30
• Key Frame:Every 24 frames

Metadata and Tagging

Content distributed through ASU on Tunes U can include additional information fields, that can be used to describe the content, provide additional links, identify the creator, associate rights holder, and more. This information is referred to as metadata and is useful for searching, retrieving, and organizing rich media content. Some of the metadata information fields are quite robust, such as the "Lyrics" and may be used to contain a considerable amount of associated text (e.g., course notes, transcripts, or additional readings).

Questions, comments, and feedback may be sent to podcast-q@asu.edu

Our Classroom Studios house a variety of media production technologies in spaces that are configurable to meet a range of programming needs from the broadcasting of traditional distance education television courses; to modern interactive webcast, podcast, and streaming media events, as well as multi-point video conferencing.

In addition to the resources offered in a traditional 'mediated classroom' (e.g. digital media presentation systems, audio and video playback, etc.) the alt^I Classroom Studios provide seamless recording and capture of course content making it available as a digital archive for either closed-circuit 'Video On-Demand' playback or open podcasting, or both. Additionally, courses taught in the alt^I Classroom Studios may utilize two way video and audio connectivity among the live classroom participants and students and other instructors distributed across regional and geographic boundaries. Interaction and collaboration are possible using the wide range of technologies and approaches available in our Classroom Studios, and new methods continue to be developed and explored.

All classes may be recorded for backup, archive, and repeat programming using a variety of technologies ranging from analog video recording to live interactive webcasting systems.

Distributed Learning in The Applied Learning Technologies Institute supports Arizona State University faculty and students in the creation of effective distance and distributed learning environments. Here are some of the services we provide:

• Assistance with course design, development, and maintenance
• myASU/Blackboard software administration
• Face-to-face and online training in technology skill building and effective online teaching
• Operation of a technical support center for online teaching and learning
• Design, development and maintenance of the ASUonline support and marketing web site
• Evaluation of online teaching and learning technologies and software
• Research and reporting on effective online teaching and learning
• Assistance meeting accessibility guidelines

Live Webcasting

ASU employs both live and archive streaming technologies to support and enhance the delivery of web-based coursework, research activities and campus community events. The MDS group provides technical support, effectively utilizing the latest streaming technologies to capture, route, and distribute live and recorded events. Events are distributed across the Internet offering multiple levels of bandwidth solutions-enabling users at various levels of connectivity to maximize their access to the event. Webcast content is made available to the Internet2 community via IP multicast. See ASU Live! for links to live streaming events.  On-demand archived versions of ASU Live! webcasts are available at http://live.asu.edu.

Media Production

Perpetual growth, expansion, and exploration in applying new and emerging media into the processes of higher education (as well as reinventing traditional media techniques) continue to both demonstrate our success as well as offer further expansion of ideas and challenges in this arena. Today the Applied Learning Technologies Institute unit can be characterized as a pioneer and as a leader in the realm of digital media production, research, support, and development at Arizona State University, as well as throughout the industry.

The Learning Technologies Lab enables instructors to efficiently and effectively integrate technology into their instruction by providing support ranging from hands-on workshops to equipment, to personalized guided assistance.

Our Approach

As the depth and breadth of technology use across the University changes, our approaches toward support have evolved from a 'counter service' model to a scalable, integrated model, which directly involves faculty and instructors in the process of instructional design.

Learning Technologies Lab Research Team

The Learning Technologies Lab Research Team was established to study and evaluate how support can best be provided to ASU instructors who seek to integrate technology into their teaching and research. Currently the team is working on projects examining the myASU online learning environment, assessing support provided in the LT Lab, and developing workshops and Web-based resources for instructors, staff, and graduate students who want to learn more about teaching with technology.

Learning Technologies Lab
Computing Commons, RM 213
480.965.6739
LTLab@asu.edu

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Lab Resources

Workshops and Training

Useful links for faculty

Large Format Printing 

Job opportunities @ the LTLab