Test Drive: Unitedstreaming and DigitalCurriculum.com

Unitedstreaming by AGC/United Learning, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 100, Evanston, IL 60201 (800) 323-9084 www.unitedstreaming.com. High schools $1,485/year; elementary schools $995.

United Learning and AIMS Multimedia offer subscription services that put large video and graphic libraries at the fingertips of educators and students. How do these video-on-demand services work? Users log on to the services using an Internet browser. Using keywords, titles, subjects, or even state curriculum standards, visitors can preview streaming videos or download videos to create online assignments or playlists.

Unitedstreaming offers 2,000 titles, the largest collection of videos meeting the broadest curriculum needs, while DigitalCurriculum.com (DCc) divides its collection of more than 1,300 titles into three libraries geared for elementary, middle, and high school levels. Both services offer quality videos from third-party producers. The companies also have collections of graphic images and have developed extensive online resource materials to supplement their video offerings.

Users can choose between streaming video or downloading a video file for later viewing. When using streaming video, the connection speed is critical. Unitedstreaming encodes its video at a single high bit rate, which translates into consistent, quality videos. DCc encodes its videos at multiple bit rates, sometimes resulting in better streaming results with a slow Internet connection. Streaming multiple videos directly over the Internet to a single classroom or lab required a lengthy start-up time and often paused during playback.

Downloading a video file for later viewing lets students and teachers incorporate videos and graphics into presentations using PowerPoint or HyperStudio. Videos can be viewed on a PC, projected onto a large screen using an LCD projector, or shown on a television.

Both services offer responsive technical and customer service, and large, convenient video libraries at a nominal cost. Keep in mind, however, that when a subscription expires, the collection is lost and downloaded files must be deleted from computers and servers. Your choice between the two companies should be based on alignment with your curriculum as well as the flexibility and features offered by the service.

Given adequate bandwidth and a curriculum that matches the videos both firms offer, I'd lean toward DigitalCurriculum.com for its interactive and flexible features. Free trials are available from both providers.