Lecture capture allows instructors to create audio/video recordings of classroom lectures or presentations. With lecture capture, instructors can record their presentations (both audio and video) including any material that gets projected onto the classroom’s screen.
Boston College uses Echo360 as its lecture capture system. With Echo360, instructors teaching in specially-equipped rooms can automatically record their class meetings and presentations or start and stop the recording process at will. After the class session ends and the recording stops, the recording is uploaded and compressed, and then automatically inserted in the course’s Blackboard Vista site. Students can then log into the Blackboard Vista course site to view the recording. All of this happens behind the scenes, without any additional work on the part of the instructor. Editing options are available, however, as is an ability to prevent the recording from being released to students until the instructor specifies.
No special software is required for instructors or students, and the finished recordings are viewable on both Mac and PC platforms.
Lecture capture has a number of benefits for instructors and students alike.
- Lecture capture can contribute to improved comprehension. Particularly for classes that cover a large amount of difficult or technical material, the ability for students to return to a recording of a particular class and review exactly what was said can be invaluable.
- Use of lecture capture can increase student participation. If students know they can review the material after class, they will be less focused on taking notes and more engaged in the course.
- Students can easily record presentations in class and make them available for their classmates to critique and review.
- Recordings of guest speakers and presenters can be made and used for subsequent courses.
The following classrooms are equipped with lecture capture capabilities as of Fall 2009:
- Fulton 150
- Fulton 511
- Gasson 002
- Law School (please contact Law School Media Services for more information)
- McGuinn 121
- O’Neill 253
The following classrooms will be equipped for use in Spring 2010:
For instructors:
Request to use lecture capture for your course
Request a one-time recording for your event
If you are interested in learning more about lecture capture, please contact eteach@bc.edu.
