October 14, 2011

On October 14 I attended a course relating to Echo360 lecture capture software.  Lecture software is any technology that allows instructors to record what happens in their classrooms and make it available digitally.  Audio, computer content, and video of the instructor may be recorded using the program. 

I can’t help but think about the time saved by recording lectures.  A teacher could record a bank of classroom lectures during a full face to face class and then utilize the lectures in a future hybrid or blended class.  By doing this, the teacher’s schedule opens up a bit to allow more time for other job related activities.  Another benefit is the ability for teachers to share lectures through the bank to other related disciplines.  Students that access the lectures can manipulate the video…speeding it up or down to find information they may have missed in class or didn’t understand right away. 

It seems to add flexibility to face to face or blended courses. 

The downside is how the recordings will be managed.  How will the recordings be stored and for how long?  What policies will apply?  Another consideration relates to copyright issues as to who owns the intellectual property.