Introduction to iDVS™
What it is . . .
The Interactive Digital Video System™ (iDVSTM) utilizes software developed by the eMotion Corporation and distributed by e-Mod.com, to provide an Internet based “Store and Forward” distribution system for instructional videos for classroom use. Special software provides the capability to view videos “full screen” and most importantly, to add “annotations” to the video to create an interactive instructional classroom lesson or student based project. The e-Mod.com corporation works closely with a large number of instructional film producers, and can provide digitized video content for many of today’s most widely utilized classroom instructional videos. Approximately 3000 titles are currently available and the collection is constantly being increased. As necessary, the e-Mod.com corporation will work with your video supplier to arrange digital distribution rights to additional medial that can be utilized with iDVSTM.
This innovative software system will allow students and teachers to search a web based video catalog. Any selected video can be downloaded over the Internet to the teacher’s desktop computer for use in the classroom or other designated location in the school. Digitized films from other sources, that are stored in the most common formats such as “mpg”, “mov”, “avi’ or “QuickTime”, can also be utilized, and the viewer also provides the capability to view still images, such as “jpg” and “gif” files. A scheduling system enables the video files to be downloaded over night, when the school Internet connection is not as heavily utilized. A school may also elect to have a central ordering system and arrange downloads to a central desktop computer or network server, thus enabling the videos to be available to many classrooms throughout the school or district. The videos can be shown to an entire class by utilizing an LCD projector or large screen television connected to the computer, or utilized on all of the computers in a classroom or computer lab. The videos in the e-Mod.com iDVSTM web catalog are stored in a standard MPEG1 format, and can also be viewed with any Windows or Macintosh multimedia viewer. Security for this system is provided not only through login and password protection for registered user accounts, but also through the registration of computer Internet Protocol computer addresses.
Classroom Lesson Creation . . .
One of the most important features of this technology is the capability to annotate videos and still images and then create interactive classroom lessons, through utilization of the innovative e‑Mod.com Viewer that is provided to users as part of the system. (Both Windows and Macintosh versions are available.) This special viewer allows full-screen/full-motion projection at virtually the same frame rate as broadcast quality television. In a typical lesson, a science teacher might present a video on cell mitosis. An annotated version of the video can be prepared to be shown as a reinforcement lesson. The “annotated” video can be programmed to stop at certain spots to allow classroom discussion, “slides” can be added to summarize important issues, titles, drawings, and sound clips can be added, or the students could be instructed to complete various activities, such as identifying and labeling the cell parts on a selected video frame. The viewer supports many of the features of modern word processors, such as the ability to change type fonts, sizes, colors, and backgrounds. Microsoft Word text also can be “pasted” into annotations.
This interactive system presents the classroom teacher with the capability to utilize this technology in many innovative ways. The teacher can electronically review the students’ work, add additional virtual sticky note comments, and electronically return the completed assignment to the student’s computer. Individual or groups of students could also prepare an annotated video presentation for the remainder of the class that illustrates various instructional concepts presented in the video. When annotations are saved on the computer, they are stored in a small computer file separate from the original video Consequently, they may be utilized many times or modified for future lessons. The original video film is unchanged, which preserves the copyright.
In the hands of a talented teacher, the iDVSTM system presents a world of teaching opportunities. Let your creativity be your guide!
Hardware Needs . . .
The iDVS™ client system and the e-Mod.com Viewer
desktop computer software are provided for both Windows and Macintosh
computers. A computer with a minimum
processor speed of 200Mhz is required along with a minimum of 64 MB of
RAM. Additional memory and a faster
processor are strongly suggested. Many
educational video files are very large, in the range of 200 - 500 MB. Consequently, adequate free hard drive
storage space is also necessary for the number of videos that may be locally
stored at one time. PC computers
require Windows 98 SE, Media Player 6.4 or later, and Internet
Explorer/Netscape Navigator 4x or later.
Macintosh computers require OS 8.6 or later, QuickTime 4.1 or later, and
Internet Explorer/Netscape Navigator 4x or later. The e-Mod.com iDVSTM host
distribution software requires a web server with a minimum 900 mhz processor, 1
Gig of RAM and at least 75 Gigs of hard drive storage space. The server requires the following
software: Windows NT/2000, IIS 4/5, SQL
7.0/2000, current service packs, and pcAnywhere 9.2 or later. Dual processors, 2 Gig of RAM, RAID 5 and
additional storage space are recommended.
The amount of hard drive storage space required is determined by the
number of videos to be hosted on the system.
One Gig of hard drive space will store approximately one hour of MPEG
video.
How to Get Started . . .
To access the iDVS™ system, use your computer browser to
access an iDVSTM web site.
The address will be provided. On the log-in screen, enter your user name
and password (a guest account may be
made available). If it has not already
been done, download and install the e‑Mod.com Viewer software on each
computer that you will utilize for the system.
(See your technology coordinator for local school and districts policies
and procedures.) The download link to
the viewer is located in the “News” box on the main web site screen. Specific information regarding viewer
installation and configuration is contained in an additional Technical Support
Bulletin. Click on the Catalogs
hyperlink and pick the subject area catalog you wish to view. A search capability is available, or you may
browse the listed titles. The “Info”
button under each “thumbnail” title picture allows you to peruse additional
information concerning the video or schedule the video for immediate or later
download. Remember, video files are
quite large, so it is wise to always choose download later. The film will then be downloaded at night on
the date you choose, to the location previously selected for local storage.
For Further Information . . .
For further information, please contact e-Mod.com and visit the web site, as listed above. The staff will be happy to answer your questions and direct you to an Interned based demonstration site, so you may directly experience the benefits of iDVSTM technology.