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IT and Library Services

Lecture Recordings

Panopto is installed onto every fixed teaching Podium PC in all our Lecture Theatres and Seminar rooms

The Panopto client is installed onto every fixed teaching "Podium" PC in every Lecture Theatre and Seminar room across the University (find details of the Audio / Visual equipment and Panopto recording facilities). Panopto is also able to deliver out-of-class recording and playback and this is available across the rest of the university.

Benefits for students

  • Students find recorded lectures a valuable tool for revision and note-taking (see Panopto's guidance at )
  • Panopto adds "chapter" marks to recordings (based on presentation slides) and allows recordings to be searched based on the text of the presentation. If the recording audio is transcribed, this is also searchable. This all makes it easier for students to find exactly the concept or part of the lecture they want to revisit.
  • Where assignments, their criteria and expectations are discussed in a recording, this gives students self-help assignment support information.
  • Students who do not speak English as a first language can review topics easily.
  • Students who are dyslexic or have learning disabilities will appreciate being able to review topics in their own time.

Beyond lectures

Of course, the Panopto system makes no distinction over what event is being recorded – in principle any situation or performance by any person or group that takes place in the Panopto-enabled rooms can be captured, as long as it is within the range and frame of the microphones and cameras.

Panopto has a .

Lecture Capture has increasingly become a commonplace facility across UK universities and has proved a valuable tool for students, particularly for revising and revisiting course content (see below). However, from its early days, there have understandably been a number of concerns expressed by lecturers. Amongst the most common of these have been:

Will students stop coming to my lectures?

In fact, studies across the sector have shown that the introduction of lecture capture has no significant effect on attendance. Students treat the recordings as supplements rather than replacements for their face-to-face sessions.

Is it difficult to use?

Systems like Panopto are deliberately designed to be as simple and as non-intrusive as possible to use. Similarly, whilst the editing in Panopto is very straightforward, most academics find that they generally have no need to edit the recordings at all.

Will students really watch the lecture recordings?

The research into student behaviour shows that they typically scan through the recordings, focusing on short sections that cover particular concepts or issues. Panopto has a number of "chaptering" and search options that make it easy for students to find exactly the section they wish to revisit.

Will this be used to monitor me without my knowledge?

Panopto is being offered as an "opt-out" service, so making and distributing recordings is still entirely under the control of individual lecturers. The purpose is purely to give you and your students the opportunity to revisit your sessions, allowing you to reflect on your teaching and your students to deepen their learning.

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