When Matt Breneman, the Director of Multi-Media Services at Marshall B. Ketchum University, began the task of developing the use of Lecture Capture technology, he expected at least a little bit of resistance. “No one really likes the sound of their own voice in a recording,” he quips. And even though it was a process that demanded a lot of hard work from his department – building an infrastructure to create, manage and store lecture content – eventually it passed the most important test of all: the students really use it.
“At the end of the day, I am always asking, ‘Will this classroom technology get in the way or will it enhance learning?’” explains Matt.
Lecture Capture enhances learning without a doubt. A system of cameras and software installed in every classroom at Ketchum University, Lecture Capture records every session a professor holds, and enables students to access that lecture for the duration of their enrollment in the course for the semester. Matt points out that when Ketchum decided to invest in the technology, it went all-in: The program used by MBKU is the very best. This means that not only can students watch lecture content, they can seamlessly switch from camera views to the PowerPoint slide the professor is displaying, as well as search for specific terms in specific slides, which will take them to the point in the lecture where the professor is discussing those terms.
The technology also includes several tools for the professors to utilize. There’s a “personal capture” feature that allows professors to record themselves directly to add content, as well as “heat maps,” which allow professors to see the parts of their lectures that are most- or least-watched, with the potential benefit of refining the content. Professors can even integrate quizzes into their lecture videos, which, by not allowing a viewer to advance until each question is answered correctly, ensures engagement in the recorded lecture.
My goal is to ensure MBKU students benefit from all that Lecture Capture has to offer. It's rewarding to play a small part in the success of our students," says Breneman.
The full Spring 2019 issue is available online. Read Now