Spring Break
Video camera set up in Park Hall classroom
DANIEL BURNETT
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: News
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The classroom is the first at the University to be retrofitted with a Canon VC-C50iR, a video surveillance device that can be used by faculty to record lectures and post them online.
"We've been trying to do a pilot test with different kinds of podcast technology," said David Noah, coordinator of emerging technology at the Center for Teaching and Learning. "I think it really offers an interesting, new opportunity for teaching."
Recorded lectures can be posted online at iTunes U, an Apple program that allows students at participating universities - including the University - to watch more than 100,000 digital lessons anytime at no cost. Other schools using the technology include Stanford University, Yale University and the University of Oxford.
The University began offering the technology to students last fall. As of Wednesday, the colleges and various campus organizations had loaded clips and sound recordings of 94 seminars, guest speakers and podcasts onto the University's iTunes U Web site.
Some faculty members, however, are hesitant to use the technology because a connection between the professor and the students is lost.
Professor Coburn Freer teaches in room 139, but said he does not plan on using the camera.
"Teaching, for me, is more interactive," he said. "It's not that you're up there facing a lens, you work with the reactions of the students."
The English department is the first on campus to purchase a video camera for the purpose of recording more than just screen-captured images.
"We haven't used [the camera] because we haven't figured out how to use it," said Doug Anderson, English department head. "I'm not even sure we have all the pieces yet."
To record a lecture, the camera must be physically connected to a computer in the classroom. From there, the recorded lecture can be e-mailed, saved or downloaded onto iTunes U.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
David
posted 4/02/09 @ 8:59 AM EST
"Anderson said he would welcome the possibility of installing more cameras in classrooms. With a camera set up at the professor's home as well, the technology could allow for a completely digital class, he said. (Continued…)
Kristen
posted 4/02/09 @ 10:18 AM EST
David-
Amen. I completely agree with you.
So UGA if you are digitally broadcasting professor's lectures, you are going to make it so I can watch it from the comfort of my own home correct? It's only fair that I can be a lazy ass and not leave my home either. (Continued…)
Prof Dawg
posted 4/02/09 @ 1:00 PM EST
"The presence of a camera can decrease cheating, increase accountability and encourage students to be quiet, Martin said."
I had no idea troglodytes were computer savvy. (Continued…)
B-rad
posted 4/02/09 @ 1:19 PM EST
Cheating is easy if your not a dumbass. I cheated my way through school and graduated cum laude. All it takes is some balls and some brains!!!
lola
posted 4/02/09 @ 3:35 PM EST
omg!!!!!!! I have a class in that room and NEVAR noticed that!! at least it doesn't work or else Id be pissed!!! hah and I DO love the sudokus!!!!! :-)
ugradindc
posted 4/02/09 @ 5:09 PM EST
Here is an explanation of how a class can be broadcast from home to students: the internet.
As it turns out, technology is pretty innovative...and you can interact over the internet, with cameras and microphones to make a class interactive! You can literally be anywhere in the world having someone speak to you thanks to technology. (Continued…)
Jennifer Roberts
posted 4/02/09 @ 5:54 PM EST
As an English major, and an occupant of room 139 five days a week, I must say that finding out a video camera has been posted fifteen feet behind my head all semester is slightly unsettling and also. (Continued…)
Eye in the sky
posted 4/02/09 @ 6:56 PM EST
I give it two months before it gets stolen.
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