Lecture Capture describes technologies instructors can use to record voice and data projector content and make those recordings available digitally. Lecture capture systems offer three important benefits: an opportunity for content review; an alternative when students miss class; and content
for online course development. Lecture capture enhances and extends
existing instructional activities, whether in face-to-face, fully
online, or blended learning environments. It is not intended as a replacement for in-class instruction.
The
U of S Lecture Capture Service (LCS) records video, audio and screen capture of any
scheduled event in an equipped classroom. The LCS is operated by eMAP and ICT. Together
they operate equipment and provide activities to enable and support the automatic
recording of lectures in many classrooms. Students ( and potentially others) view the recordings at a later time over the Internet using arbitrary devices
(computers, laptop, mobile devices). eMAP provides, installs and maintains
the necessary equipment in classrooms. ICT operates the servers and software
(on capture agent devices and servers). The Lecture Capture Steering
committee, consisting of representatives from the ULC, eMAP, AIRES lab and ICT
will set policy for the service and advocate the use of the lecture capture
services as appropriate with instructors and administration.
Forms of lecture capture available include:
- Audio Only (Podcasting): Records the instructors voice only, no
presentation materials are recorded. May require some manual
intervention from the professor. The instructor must wear a lapel
microphone.
- Audio/Data: Records the instructors voice and the data projector. All
sources of video displayed over the data projector (Computer, Laptop,
Document Imaging Camera, or DVD/VCR) are recorded. The instructor must
wear a lapel microphone, and audio sent to the in-room speakers will be
included in the recording.
- Audio/Video/Data: Records the instructors voice, the data projector, and
includes a standard definition camera of the stage. Depending on the
room, the camera angle and quality may vary. Includes all audio sent to
the in-room speakers, as well as all sources of video displayed over
the data projector. The instructor must wear a lapel microphone.
In This Section
Caveats
If lecture capture is to be used as one of
the main delivery mechanism for distributed education students, best practices
must be followed, a backup option must be in place and it should not be the
primary delivery mechanism.
- The quality of the recordings may not be acceptable;
- There are inadequate resources to monitor
recordings in real-time, so no assurance can be made that the lecture is in
fact being properly recorded.
- There is insufficient funding to suitably
equip classrooms to adequately capture acceptable audio and video for classroom
interactions, discussions, instructor gestures.
- Not all classrooms are suitably
equipped. Currently classroom scheduling
does not schedule using the availability of lecture capture equipment.
- The variety in classroom configurations,
classroom use and teaching styles also affect the ability to effectively use
lecture recording. To some degree class size, subject or discipline also affect
the value of lecture capture.
- ICT and eMAP cannot monitor the recording
process nor view recorded lectures for every class.
While NOT part of
the LCS described here, a wide variety of technologies are available for
individual instructors to record audio and computer graphics, and to make those
recordings available to students. These methods remain the responsibility of
the instructor. ICT and eMAP can help
with some information and recommendations regarding best practices.
Who is eligible to use this service?
The instructor of record for any class can request
lecture(s) or class session(s) to be recorded at a time and place.
This is subject, of course, to the equipment installed in the particular
classroom; equipment cannot be installed “on demand”.
Others can request sessions be recorded, provided that the
person requesting is indeed responsible for the session, location and time.
Instructors are responsible for informing participants that
the recording is to take place (as a minimum.)
Preferably participants should be given a fair opportunity to opt out in
some way.
The recording may change the dynamic in a classroom. Legal use of copyrighted materials may be
altered by recording.
A U of S policy regarding lecture capture is under
consideration.
