UMass Lowell Making Learning Leaps with Lecture Capture Initiative

“They can record something when they can’t physically be in class, like bad weather or when a professor is at a conference,” he says. “It makes it easy for students to look at something , so professors don’t have to repeat themselves.”

Deepens distance learning

Tyndall says lecture capture is used for distance learning, which is completed via Blackboard.

“It’s still supplemental,” he says. “They take classes that are captured previously. All faculty have Blackboard accounts.”

Young says UMass Lowell’s lecture capture solutions have made distance learning and local learning more engaging for students, and upped the value of actual in-class time.

“[It’s about] trying to see how can we take that class time and make it more valuable,” she says. “We’ve added student engagement tools, we’re adding analytics in terms of our systems so the teachers can start seeing what students are participating, what students are actually using the lecture captures and the recordings, etc. That’s what these technologies are starting to give schools. It’s a higher level of insight on how their students are doing.”

Easy-peasy, even for professors

Tyndall says that some of the highest demand for lecture capture on campus has come from professors.

He says the university provides annual training for professors to brush up on best practices.

“It’s so much easier for faculty,” Tyndall says. “We offer training several times a year to get over that hump of fear. We’re committed to helping faculty.”

He also says all recorded lectures are scheduled, so professors have minimal involvement in sending those recordings to students.

“Professors get [lecture capture] just by calling me up,” Tyndall says. “We send the webpages or selected classes to students…Faculty don’t have to do anything, they just have to ask.”

ROI found in retention rates

Tyndall says since installing lecture capture, students’ grades and retention rates have skyrocketed.

“Grades and retention have improved,” he says. “It’s a good system all around.”

Tyndall says the key to UMass Lowell’s success with lecture capture was its willingness to adopt it.

“Technology is great,” he says. “But unless it’s adopted, it’s not going to be successful.”

Young says the university experienced additional success through its gradual adoption of lecture capture. She also says other colleges looking to implement lecture capture should follow suit.

“Don’t be afraid to start slow, and don’t be afraid to start with a smaller group and allow it to grow,” Young says. “You want your students and instructors to have a positive experience with it. Start with what you can manage, and grow from there.”

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Video: Randy Tyndall’s Tips on Lecture Capture Usage

https://youtu.be/vB8G-LbmEfY