U Stream for Classroom

I found a really cool website for use in the classroom or e-Learning.  www.ustream.tv is awesome!  You can create an account for free and then create a room or multiple rooms to use.  All you need is connection to the internet and a web cam and you are ready to stream your class!  This would work GREAT for a couple of different things:

1.  Synchronous lessons:  In place of using the “chat room” feature of your class, you could use ustream to broadcast yourself and have all of your students log in and view your lecture.  There is a “Chat” function where your students would be able to ask questons and you could answer the questions with video and voice.  The site offers a “Record” function so you could record the session and then archive it so your students could go back through it, or watch it if they did not make the class.

2.  Traditional classroom:  If you are teaching a traditional classroom, you could setup the webcam and broadcast your traditional lectures.  All of your students could be given your web address (which does not change) and could login and watch the class from a distance if s/he is not able to attend the traditional class.  This way the student could still login and get the material if s/he is sick.  Again, you can record the lessons giving students the ability to watch your lectures again to review something they did not quite understand or to review for exams.

This technology is FREE and a great opportunity for multiple ideas.  I will be anxious to see the support from the service and if it ever becomes a paid site.