Classroom Lecture Capture

Definition: Classroom Capture

Classroom capture is the ability to record a presentation along with the synchronized corresponding audio in a format that can be redistributed via computer or other means to users outside the classroom.

Goals

Our initial focus is the two lecture halls in MBRB. We have an existing audio video infrastructure in G202 and 2204 that is accessible through the Media Control Room (1206 MBRB). Our task is to integrate the School of Medicine infrastructure with additional equipment required by the selected provider to enable us to capture the visual presentation (PowerPoint) and the corresponding synchronized audio. We realize that we must also look ahead to possible future requirements such as being able to capture video/audio in an automated fashion. Special events, seminars, and guest speakers often require a full production crew to do the audio/video capture.

A curriculum capture solution also requires that we have in place a method to post the resulting files in the appropriate place in the Curriculum Content Management System.

Approach

Our initial list of major solutions available include:

• Accordent
• Echo360
• Podcaster
• Camtasia
• MediaSite
• Tegrity
• Adobe Connect

These products are all a combination of hardware, software, and server solutions. Each has different feature sets that attempt to differentiate themselves from each other. The decision comes down to specific features, compatibility with existing systems, and the licensing cost structure. Each system comes with a wide range of diverse features and system selection may be dependent upon the specific needs of the students and professors.

Costs

Primary Considerations:

• Usability – presenter and end-user
• Scalability
• Production FTE hours
• Hardware Costs
• Maintenance Costs

Costs are a moving target. Besides the cost for the vendor product there are additional costs for more storage based on usage, installation, integration, and backups. At this time no budget has been identified for these costs.

Plan for Recommendation for a School-Wide Automated Solution

1. Investigate each product to determine which would be best fit in our current environment.
2. Run a pilot test of 5 lectures in both first and second year to find out more about student needs, student use, and faculty acceptability of the concept of classroom capture.
3. Select 3 vendors to contact and request that they provide us with a demo of their hardware/software solution for our environment. This is standard procedure for this type of purchase. A short description of the 3 choices is given at the end of this document.
4. Talk with main campus IT staff to inquire about their experiences with each vendor and/or other capture solutions.
5. Contact other schools who are currently using some of these products.
6. Evaluate each possible solution against a standard set of criteria.
7. Select a vendor
8. Make a recommendation to the School Administration.

Current Status, April 15, 2008

• Accordant came to campus in March and we were able to test their solution in one of the MBRB lecture hall. We have produced an evaluation summary on that product.
• Apple Podcaster Producer was scheduled to come in late March but was delayed until early April because they could not secure the necessary equipment. When they did arrive, they brought only a server. There was no capture card or Mac mini for the classroom. The lack of a capture card did not allow us to do any testing on their system. We did basic testing between their Leopard Server and an IMac running the new Leopard OS. Many basic features are still being developed for Podcaster, but some functionality was confirmed. We are unable to do an evaluation of this product until Apple supplies us with test equipment. They have supplied us with two scenario schematics of how it the deployment should happen along with cost estimates.
• Echo360 was scheduled to arrive on March 17. They too were forced to delay and are expected here on April 22. According to Echo360, they have done a complete update of their hardware capture device and also changed their deployment scheme. They are unable to supply us with the servers as promised and we are scrambling to locate two servers in our environment that we can make ready for their use. We are also awaiting their yet to be published, deployment guide.

Short Description of Vendor Solutions

• Podcast Producer – The Apple Leopard OS Podcast Producer application offers high functionality based on our current format standards. The cost of this solution is based upon two factors – delivery speed needed and number of simultaneous transmissions required. This product reduces the staffing requirement similar to the Echo360 solution, as it has a highly automated workflow.
• Echo 360 – We will be receiving a trial setup from this company on April 22nd at which time we would like to test out the system by doing a number of recordings. Major features of this system are: Flash media, integration with CMS and or ITunes, Complete automation once scheduling and templates are set up, similar to Podcast Producer. The Echo 360 is currently being used at UNC’s School of Law (audio only), NC State, UNC Wilmington, UNC Charlotte, George Washington.
• Accordent: Windows and Real Media based system. Offers post-production tools for changing presentations. It offers extensive logging of use and statistics with a complementary Server System called Accordent Media Management System. Accordent is used by Duke University School of Medicine, Emory, and Univ of South Carolina School of Medicine…