Ed Tech Blog
Lecture capture system implementation has been growing over the past decade in both Higher Ed and K-12. Designing the right system with the appropriate equipment can be daunting for IT and AV tech managers. Like most new projects, one must begin by meeting with the department faculty and administration to ascertain what will be the ultimate goal for the material.
There are a number of reasons schools utilize this type of technology (some offering new revenue streams). Lecture capture is ideal for live-streaming e-learning and online/ distance courses. It can also be archived for viewing for flipped and blended learning paradigms or for continuity of learning plans (i.e. snow days or extended sick leave). Either way, with lecture capture the traditional learning experience is altered and typically enhanced.
Lecture capture technology allows flexible access to instructor based learning resources. Many schools offer a number of different recording locations and options to accommodate different teacher preferences and school budgets. Depending on the magnitude of the customized solution, lecture capture can:
- record the instructor’s video and/or audio
- incorporate any visual aids
- integrate presentations
- embed movies and annotations
The technology necessary for lecture capture can range from simplistic to broad, again depending upon the goals, instructor needs and space and budgetary allocations. There are an assortment of options varying from PC and MAC based software to appliances some of which can be incorporated into your existing classroom technology infrastructure. Equipment like web or video cameras and mics or headsets are typically used too. Now think about where will the content be posted, who will post it and how will it be posted? Understanding if your infrastructure requirements must change to accommodate the new technologies, burdens on the network and equipment are a priority.
You know better than most that you must consider...
I am using some of this post as part of a longer article about experimental technology-rich learning spaces. I know how much our readers love to know about what other schools are doing with their technology so I decided to share some interesting tidbits with our readers prior to the full piece being published. Here is the teaser:
I sat with a professor the other day who was part of a team of instructors, students, technologists and administrators who helped create, install and evaluate a brand new active learning space in one of their design buildings. I am still in awe, a week later, about how much prep goes into every phase of this project. Design and room planning, equipment evaluation, installation, instructional design, interactivity and feedback/ analysis. And even though this is the second semester that this room is being used for instruction, the work still continues to determine how to use the room, what type of activities/ interactivity results in the most student success, and if this room should be duplicated in other areas throughout campus?
Summary of room layout: the room is a large, long open space with windows on one of the long sides and...
Read more: Sneak Peek: Challenges and Successes for Custom Designed Active Learning Spaces
Following a disruptive snow storm in the North East this week, students across the region (especially Long Island and New England) are home sledding, playing video games, drinking hot chocolate and doing everything but thinking about school. Many schools, however, are implementing continuity of learning plans that may require students to “attend class” during snow/ inclement weather days and extended sick leaves. I hear students all over the country groaning.
As AV, IT and infrastructure support professionals, there are some fundamental technology considerations when designing an e-learning program:
-- What is the overall school’s definition of and requirements for e-learning? Will students have to log into a platform for 5 hours of collaboration and video conferencing? Will they retrieve independent study materials from the school site and simply submit the project via email? Will it be a combination of independent work and collaborative activities? Teachers and administrators may have to develop lesson plans, lectures, and projects in advance for remote learning (their buy in for this is paramount to successful e-learning programs).
-- Does the school’s technology infrastructure support the previously defined continuity of learning program? Does it have the bandwidth and supporting software to be able to allow...
Read more: Snow Day: Considering e-Learning in Your Schools?
As equipment manufacturers, we are often asked about the interoperability between our products and other manufacturer's devices. As technology managers, that’s an incredibly important question to ask. Your every day priority is to make sure that audiovisual and digital signage systems in classrooms and around campus are working properly. From control systems to HDBaseT products to converters, adapters and displays and everywhere in between, interoperability is of paramount importance.
One thing to keep in mind is that as end-user representatives, your voice MUST be heard and it carries A LOT of weight. If devices aren’t “playing nice” it is important that you discuss this with the manufacturers or the manufacturer reps. This information can be used to create updates, patches or new products that will address these issues.
Additionally, demo the equipment in a variety of scenarios before committing to the equipment list for a project whenever possible. Many manufacturers allow you to evaluate product for a few weeks prior to purchasing it. This is in your best interest and theirs; potentially cutting down on future tech support calls, returns and problems.
Finally, making sure that software, hardware and firmware updates/ upgrades won’t create interoperability hiccups can be difficult or...
This morning an article popped up in my personal Inbox from PC Mag. It was part of a newsletter from a website I only occasionally peruse. But this article caught my attention and you can read it here: In Memoriam: The Tech We Lost in 2014.
It prompted me to think about how many technologies we have seen come and go in education during this past decade. Some of the technologies looked promising and then, just, didn’t. Or they were picked off by a more advanced product or technology. I am sure each of you have a stack of equipment in some room, perhaps your own office, which was purchased to “try” the trend, and then was never adopted. Or the equipment that was requested, desired and oh so necessary to student success, only to have the instructors completely lose interest or not change their styles enough to make the ed tech useful.
I am not talking about typical changing technology that we all witness like projectors which had user replaceable lamps and now advanced to lamp-less versions. Technology is always evolving. What I am talking about are the tech products that seemed so interesting- a problem solver- but...
The Technology Enabled Active Learning (TEAL) classroom was developed more than 10 years ago at MIT to enhance learning and engagement and increase attendance and success of first and second year physics students. It completely changes the design, layout, technology and pedagogy used in the room and courses.
TEAL classroom instructors focus class time on collaborative and practical application exercises. The room is designed as if there is no front or back of the room; round work tables are placed along the outside walls of the room. The instructor’s desk is in the middle of the room and white boards and displays (or projectors and screens) are situated on the outside walls next to the round work tables. Each station has connectivity for laptops or tablets and cameras for capture are dispersed throughout the room. This layout allows smaller groups of students to work together on course curriculum and help each other through problem solving and comprehension. The technology and connectivity offers immediate research opportunities, sharing information between students and instructor and faculty guidance.
The format of these classes require re-evaluation, changing from lecture only to active learning. The students help to determine the pace they move through the...
Read more: The Ultimate Active Learning Space: The TEAL Classroom