Lecture capture continues to be one of the fastest growing trends in education. As colleges and universities look to invest more in online classes and blended learning, lecture capture has become a more important learning tool than ever. For commercial integrators, it’s just another reason why video conferencing is one of the hottest trends in the industry right now.

Lecture capture refers to any system of recording a lecture or presentation in a digital format that is posted online for later viewing. Some lecture capture solutions even provide for live broadcasting; in higher education settings, this is useful for students who are absent from class and are subsequently able to stream the lessons from home.

Regardless of the method, this new technology is changing education. Students no longer have to scramble to take notes while potentially missing key information during class. Having a digital recording of the lesson allows students to pay closer attention and provides the opportunity for them to go back and review difficult material before a test. Many teachers even report higher grades and greater student participation as a result.

Use these six tips from higher education professionals when exploring lecture capture projects for your clients, whether they are in higher education, healthcare, corporate or any other of the increasing number of markets diving into this sector.

1. Consider Client Needs

When the University of New Hampshire (UNH) started investigating lecture capture it came up with a list of specific requirements for the right solution.

“We tried to develop the solution around three uses,” says Marshall White, IT manager at UNH. “The university wanted professors to have flexibility. The lecture capture solution it was looking for would allow professors to record lectures live, to prerecord lectures and to use lecture capture from the comfort of their homes.”

Ask your clients how they intend to use the technology. Will the users be recording from home, pre-recording from an on-site studio or capturing a lesson in real time?

2. Consider Mobile Solutions

Some lecture capture solutions require hardware that is permanently installed in a lecture hall or recording studio. Some clients won’t be able to afford outfitting multiple venues, so mobile carts that can be wheeled to different locations or rented out through the IT or media department are a potential alternative. The University of California State University-Fullerton School of Nursing uses a mobile cart for its distance learning program.

“Mediasite was installed in four classrooms, all wired to one unit that captured the broadcast,” says Marsha Orr RN, MS, the school’s distance education liaison. “Then a year later, we started thinking, ‘What about a guest speaker? What about moving to a different classroom?’ So we broadened our use with a portable recorder, a mobile unit that’s not based in a broadcast classroom.”

3. Think Outside the Box

Lecture capture can be used for more than just recording lectures. Help maximize customer investments by enabling them to educate their various stakeholders (department heads, professors, etc.) by recording short how-to technology videos. This can also be a good way to communicate information for online or distance learning courses. For example, the Fullerton school of nursing makes instructional videos about how to use its learning management system.

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