We’re all used to the YouTube craze, but maybe there’s something new coming up: Ustream.tv. Ustream.tv lets users broadcast live events over the web using only a webcam and an Internet connection. It’s features are still in beta, but so far they include scheduling events, sending invitations, chat sessions with viewers and archiving broadcasts for viewing at a later date. A whole slew of ideas come to mind about how I’d like to use this service in youth ministry.

• Stream youth group meetings and events live on our upcoming website.
• Give parents a live window into what we’re doing while on mission trips.
• Let site viewers interact with my teaching by submitting their input on discussion questions for me to address live “on air.”
• Create online discussion “small groups” of viewers using the video feed’s chat features.
• Stream local school sporting events, band concerts and other school performances on our site and archive them for community students to view later.

Here’s my Ustream.tv profile page. Add me as a friend if you sign up. Happy video streaming!

[tags]Ustream.tv[/tags]

Posted on April 25, 2007