Combining Screencasting and a Tablet PC for Lecture Capture Patrick J O’Malley School of Chemistry

The Lecture

Is it still necessary/relevant? Surveys suggest the lecture is still an effective and valued learning resource by students.

Lecture Capture? Capture content of lecture for future reference Audio + presentation

Why? Pilot studies have proven very popular with students – valued learning resource Student marketing – retention - competition

How? Video Camera – MIT, Yale, iTunes U For an electronic presentation screencasting is preferable

Screencasting Screencast - video capture of all on- screen activity with synchronous audio Equivalent to somebody looking over your shoulder while you give commentary on on-screen activity

Screencasting Software Wide variety of free and commercial software Most popular Camtasia Relatively easy to use Allows lecture to be uploaded to Blackboard within minutes of lecture end

Tablet PC Power point presentations often not very suitable for scientific teaching Blackboard or OHP used for dynamic presentation of mathematical equations and chemical structures Tablet PC allows for this and can be captured.

Tablet PC Projection – clarity Digital ink Colour Complex diagrams can be included and annotated Animation Can save/capture lecture as presented

Student feedback

“Very helpful. Do the same for all modules” “Allows reinforcing of ideas and anything not understood” “I can watch them when I want” “Great because I cant concentrate well in large lecture theatre” “My friends and I have used the screencasts to revise together and discuss topics”