Hello Fellow Interns,
This is still a first draft and none of this is etched in concrete. Thought I'd go ahead and publish it though to start getting everyone's feedback.
Thoughts? Questions? Suggestions?
Thanks,
Jeff
Class of 1.1 'Graduation' Requirements.
In order to complete the 'Basic Program' at The Webcast Academy, interns will need to
- produce 3 live interactive webcasts and publish them to their Webcast Academy blog
- successfully participate in a Finals Week Webcast Relay
- complete a 'Webcaster's Report' detailing the methods used, obstacles faced, and solutions found.
Webcast Production includes
a) successfully streaming the audio (without any coaching or assistance),
b) hosting or co-hosting at least a 30 minute show, and
c) recording all of the show's audio and editing it to a 'listenable' quality
Publication includes
a) posting show notes that include links to sites mentioned, an overview of topics discussed, and chat logs (graphics are not required, but encouraged in moderation)
b) including a download link and flash player listening option for the audio
The Finals Week Relays take place during the final week of the academy term (July 24~31). At least 3 interns must participate and take turns 'grabbing the stream' at least 3 times from each other. This is intended to measure the interns ability to handle high pressure, last minute, and/or unexpected webcasting situations.
The 'Webcaster's Report' is designed to help the the Academy build a database of information about the hardware, software, and troubleshooting involved in webcasting. Each intern will provide detailed information of their 'rig', methods, and obstacles encountered.
The deadline for all requirements is July 31, 2006. Upon review and approval by the 'Mentor Council', interns will receive a Webcast Academy
Certificate of Webcasting Proficiency. As long their webcasting focus and approach are compatible with Worldbridges Values & Goals and they have completed a Worldbridges Webcasting Application, graduating interns will also receive a '
Worldbridges Webcasting License'. This license is a pre-requisite for becoming a webcast producer on any of Worldbridges channels or sites.
Upon completion of the Basic Program, interns are asked to server on the 'Council of Mentors' for at least one future Academy session (not necessarily the one immediately following theirs). They are also eligible to receive advanced certification from The Webcast Academy (details of which will be ironed out during future Academy meetings).
Applications for The Webcast Academy Class of 1.2 are due by July 16, 2006. The Opening Ceremony will be held July 23, 2006 in conjunction with The Class of 1.1.'s Finals Week Assembly.
About The Webcast Academy
Welcome to The Webcast Academy. The Academy is a hands on,
collaborative training center for people interested in learning how to
produce and host live, interactive webcasts.
Overview
The goals of the Webcast Academy include
- increasing the number of people who are capable of producing live, interactive webcasts
- applying the open source community approach to skill development
- creating a place that formally recognizes proficiency, excellence, and innovation in these new media skills
It is our hope that those who complete an apprenticeship here, will
put their skills to use on the Worldbriges Webcasting Network and
elsewhere, but there is no charge for participation and no formal
commitment required following the completion of the internship.
To keep things manageable in terms session administration, server
resources, and security, we can only accept 15 interns for each
session. Upon successful completion of their 3 interncasts and a
'commencement webcast', interns will receive a Worldbridges Webcaster
Proficiency Certificate and become a Worldbridges Webcasting Licensee.
Interns will need to spend at least 3~5 hours a week
working on developing the necessary skills, working with other members
of their 'channel', and banging their heads against their monitors.
Eventually, intern station managers will be broken into 5 groups (or
channels). One of the stations managers in each group will serve as
Channel Director. The Channel Director will be responsible for
scheduling and posting information about group webcasts on the
calendar.
Interns will be the only ones with direct access to the
Worldbridges webcasting streams, but everyone is welcome to participate
in other ways - posting in the discussion forums, commenting on posts,
contributing to the Book of Webcasting, and learning along with the
apprentices.
Admission Policies
The Webcast Academy does
not charge any fees, but we do ask that interns continue contributing
to this collaborative learning community following the completion of
the Basic Program. We plan to limit the 'class of 1.5' to 20
'interns'. Interns are the only ones given access to the Academy
streams on the Worldbridges servers. If we receive more than 20
applications, we will select participants based on the quality of their
application materials, compatibility of their goals with Worldbridges
values and goals, and the unique contribution they would make to the
world of webcasting. Those who are not accepted as interns for this
session are welcome to participate as non-interns and to reapply
for the next session.
Certification
Upon review and approval by the 'Webcaster Council', interns will receive a Webcast Academy Certificate of Webcasting Proficiency.
As long their webcasting focus and approach are compatible with
Worldbridges Values & Goals, graduating interns will also receive a
'Worldbridges Webcasting License'. This license is a pre-requisite for becoming a webcast producer on any of Worldbridges channels or sites.
Upon completion of the Basic Program, interns are asked to serve
on the 'Council of Webcasters' for at least one future Academy session
(not necessarily the one immediately following theirs). They are also
eligible to receive advanced certification from The Webcast Academy
(details of which will be ironed out during future Academy meetings).
Thanks again for your interest in the Webcast Academy. If you have additional questions, please post them in the 'About Webcast Academy' section of the Discussion Forums.
SAMBroadcaster - Windows
SAMBroadcaster is a fairly sophisticated piece of streaming software designed for online DJ's. In our experience, it has proven to be the most reliable way for Windows based webcasters to succeed.
This software has a lot of different options that may be too complicated for the beginners. Secondly, the main idea behind SAMBroadcaster is to not only stream voice but also to play music. So if you don't plan to play music during your show, I believe that using other software (like Oddcast or Simplecast) should be enough. However, there are many exceptions in the field of live webcasting and this is one of them. You should try streaming with few programs and see which one is the best for you and which one gives you the best voice quality. Remember that hardware of you PC/laptop and peripherials can influence the live stream in many ways: starting with the voice quality and ending with keeping constant and good internet connection or stream. Thus, live webcasting is like an ongoing experiment; but it's fun!
Screencast Video#1
Screencast Video#2
Conrad's Screenshot Video of how to use Sam to webcast without Virtual Audio Cables
How to create download link and flash player for uploaded audio. 
