KET has been working on more ways to provide access to course programs to meet the diverse needs of today’s students. You can still rely on KET’s broadcasts, but now you have even more viewing options.
Video Streaming Through KET
Most course programs are available via video streaming from KET’s web site. There are two ways to access the programs online:
- If your instructor is using a course management system (CMS) with the course (such as Blackboard, WebCT, or Angel), check to see whether he/she has added links to the video streams for you to access. If so, just log on to your CMS and click the link for the video you want to watch. The programs will be viewable with RealPlayer® or Windows Media Player®.
- If your instructor is not using a CMS with the course, or has not added the video links, you can access the video stream from the KET web site. Go to www.ket.org/collegecourses, click on “Current Semester,” and then choose the course you are taking. Select the icon near the top that says “View Videos Online (KET)” or “View Videos and Transcripts Online (KET).” You will be prompted to provide your instructor’s e-mail address and your institution’s course number in order to log in. The programs will be viewable with RealPlayer® or Windows Media Player®.
See below for answers to Frequently Asked Questions about video streaming.
Video Streaming Through Annenberg
Some of the courses we offer also have been made available for video streaming by Annenberg Media. Where you see the link “View Videos Online (Annenberg),” you can choose to view the programs online through Annenberg’s web site, learner.org (opens in a new window). A one-time registration is required, but the viewing is free. To view these streams, you will need Windows Media Player®.
See below for answers to Frequently Asked Questions about video streaming.
Transcripts
Transcripts for some courses are available through the KET web site. They are accessible from the same place as the video streams. Go to www.ket.org/collegecourses, click on “Current Semester,” and choose the course you are taking. Select the icon near the top that says “View Videos and Transcripts Online (KET).” You will be prompted to provide your instructor’s e-mail address and your institution’s course number in order to log in. The transcripts are in either Adobe Acrobat (PDF) or Microsoft Word (.doc) format. (Transcripts are not available for all courses.)
Rental and Purchase Options
We recently started a rental program to help make course programs more available to students who miss broadcasts, and it is proving quite successful. You now have these options:
- Rent from KET
Most course programs are now available for rental on DVD directly from KET. Individual programs from a series can be rented for $5 each, or you can rent an entire series for $65 (shipping is free). The DVDs must be returned at the end of the semester. To rent DVDs, visit the KET College Course Rental Store.
- Rent from ACT Media
ACT Media provides rentals of all the course programs to enrolled students. The videos are sent for your use until the semester is over, at which time you must return them. Typical rental charges are between $35 and $55 (plus shipping) per course. All courses can be rented on VHS tape, and some are available on CD or DVD. Contact ACT Media at (800) 745-5480, or visit www.actmedia.org (opens in a new window) for more information.
- Buy from Intelecom
Some course programs are also available for students to purchase on video CD or DVD. Intelecom, the producer of several courses, offers students the option of direct purchase of select course programs on video CD or DVD for $35. Courses currently available are Framework for Democracy, Portrait of a Family, Taking the Lead, and The Unfinished Nation (Parts I and II). The CDs (which can be watched on your computer or newer DVD players) include all programs plus transcripts. To purchase the CDs, call Gabriel Zaldivar at (800) 257-2578, ext. 113. Visit Intelecom’s
Student Store (opens in a new window) for more information.
Other Options
If you miss our broadcast and prefer not to use the video streaming or rental/buying options, here are a few other ways to access the course programs:
- Your college’s library or media center
Most schools keep a copy of each program available for students in case they miss a broadcast. Programs can be viewed in the library and sometimes may be checked out. Policies vary among colleges, so check with your school for details.
- Rebroadcast on your college’s local cable channel
Some colleges (including UK, NKU, and WKU) re-air course programs on their local cable channels. Check with your college’s cable station for a schedule.
- Classmates
Sometimes you can borrow a tape from another student in the class who was able to record it. Ask your professor for a list of other students in the class. This is also a great way to find a study partner!
- Purchase a copy from the producer
While KET cannot sell copies of the programs, the producers can. To find out the name and phone number of the producer for the course you are taking, call Laura Orsetti at KET, (859) 258-7279.
Frequently Asked Questions About Video Streaming
- Why do I have to log in to view the programs on the KET web site?
Our rights agreements with course producers require that all video streams be offered in a password-protected environment—either through a course management system (CMS) or through some other means—to ensure that only students are viewing the programs. You will be prompted to provide your instructor’s e-mail address and your institution’s course number in order to log in.
- What software do I need to view the programs?
All of KET’s online video requires RealPlayer (Version G2 or later) or Windows Media Player. This software is pre-installed in many of the latest Internet browsers. KET is using the latest streaming technology to provide the best possible online experience. If your sound or picture becomes interrupted or garbled, the problem may be network congestion on the Internet backbone or from your local ISP.
- Can I download the programs onto my computer to watch offline?
No. Our licensing agreements stipulate that all programs must be viewed in real time. We are not permitted to make them available in a downloadable format.
- I do not have good enough computer access to watch videos online. Where else can I watch them online?
We have encoded the programs in a format that should be viewable even with a dial-up modem. But if you are having trouble accessing the programs at home, your college or local library should have a high-speed Internet connection, so you can view the programs through their computers.
- Why doesn’t the program start right away?
The programs need to load—a process called buffering—so that you will see fewer interruptions while the program plays. You may have to wait a few seconds for the program to start playing.
- Can I view the program in different resolutions?
Media players tpically allow the user to zoom the video to various sizes. The quality of the picture will vary based on your computer’s processor speed and the bandwidth of your connection.
