Lecture Capture Technology is a new pilot technology being introduced to the College of Engineering this semester. This technology has been implemented in courses that rely heavily on lecture material such as ISYE 315 and ISYE 575.
The student view of Professor Mann's lecture on eCOW showing both the professor lecturing and his PowerPoint.
Photo Credit: Chris RossThis technology allows the professor turns on his microphone at the beginning of the lecture and hits a record button at the podium. There is a video camera mounted in the ceiling to record the professor and the computer simultaneously records the PowerPoint slides being dis- cussed. The footage is then streamed over the Internet, displayed as a split screen of the professor and the slides, and can either be viewed real time or at a later date.
There are many benefits of implementing this new technology including ease of access to the material, especially with regards to making up missed lectures. Students can watch the entire lecture as if they were in the lecture from the comfort of their own home. Also, students no longer have to stress about missing class for interviews or exams because they can easily watch the lecture at another time. Both of these features have definitely benefitted students throughout the semester so far and will continue to benefit them as student’s schedules get more and more hectic.
With this technology there are some concerns about attendance because you essentially would never have to go to class. However, in ISYE 315 and 575 the professors and the students haven’t noticed a dramatic decrease in
Professor Mann at his high tech podium which records and uploads his lectures to his eCOW website.
Photo Credit: Chris Rossattendees. However, there are peo- ple who do miss class occasionally and they recognize the benefits of having access to the lectures online.
Depending on the success of this technology this semester, there will be plans to implement it into more and more classrooms in the future. Check out our next issue for more details about how the technology is changing, the effects it’s had throughout the fall semester, and what professors have to say about it.