Live Broadcasting Online: Interactive Training for Rural Special Educators

This paper describes how to use a desktop computer and inexpensive software plus a PC or Macintosh streaming server to deliver live interactive class sessions via video with audio streaming on the Internet. Although the use of Web-based instruction for preservice and inservice program delivery in special education and disability services is expanding rapidly, most existing programs rely primarily on text presentation and asynchronous (delayed time) technologies such as threaded discussions. Relatively little use has been made to date of the Web's multimedia capabilities or synchronous (real time) technologies such as audio- or video-conferencing. The use of webcasting technology (both simulcasts in real time and re-broadcasts on demand) represents a fairly inexpensive, simple to use mechanism for delivering personnel preparation programs for practitioners working in early intervention, special education, or adult disability services in rural areas without the need for high bandwidth connections. The distance education program in Severe/Multiple Disabilities and Early Intervention Special Education at West Virginia University has successfully utilized webcasting technology to deliver a graduate certification and degree program to practicing but uncertified special educators working in rural areas of the United States as well as in several other locations around the world.