ITS makes Webcast a reality

he Class of 2001 was the first University class to graduate in both the real world and the virtual one, taking part in the first University-wide event to be available live on the World Wide Web.

The successful Webcast pilot project--managed by Information Technology Services (ITS) Web Services group along with staff from Medical Center Media Services and sponsored by University Public Relations and the College--signals a new array of services available to University departments.

"The entire operation was very successful," says Dale Grady, Web coordinator, about the Commencement Webcast. "We only had one report of technical difficulty during the entire broadcast, and our viewership extended as far away as Seattle."

Webcast technology allows video and audio transmission of both live and pre-recorded events. The University, through the services of ITS, can provide Webcast services for departmental functions, campus events, and instructional programs. ITS Web Services supplies the hardware, software, and technical expertise needed to convert the signal from camera or videotape into a Web compatible format for broadcasting through the University Web server or streaming server.

"Webcasting is an interesting and fun technology that captures the imagination. And the ability to bring live video of special events has numerous advantages," says Grady. "It builds community by bringing events to members who cannot otherwise be present and provides an opportunity for parents, friends, students, alumni, and others to relive an event through archived videos."

Webcasting for general University events and departments is available from ITS Web Services in Taylor Hall. Departments who wish to create their own prerecorded Webcasts can attend the Web brown bag briefings on the subject. Visit the University Events calendar (www.rochester.edu/calendar) for dates and times.

Inquiries about Webcast services--either live or prerecorded and for departmental functions or University events--should be directed to Dale Grady at x5-9181 or by e-mail at Dale.Grady@rochester.edu.

College faculty wishing to incorporate audio and/or video into their instruction should contact Lisa Brown at the ITS Education Technology Center. She can be reached at x5-9162 or by e-mail at Lisa.Brown@ rochester.edu.

For more information about Webcasting, visit http://www.rochester.edu/its/web.

To view the 2001 Commencement Webcast, visit www.rochester.edu/commencement/live.

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