Distance learning is alive and well in the FIC. In fact it is even thriving. This semester there are 12 classes that utilize technology to deliver instruction to sites beyond campus for remote students. Essentially there are three ways these courses are presented:

• Live streaming – courses are captured on video and sent out simultaneously over the Internet.
• Playback on demand – courses are captured and posted to Blackboard.
• Videoconferencing – courses are two-way video feeds with remote sites.

Most commonly used by students are the courses that are posted for playback. Students are finding it useful to review lectures and to look over graphics and other posted visuals. This kind of capability though is best delivered with state-of-the-art technology. This last summer we started making plans to upgrade the ETC 5.148 encoder and distance learning Web distribution.  There were several considerations when determining what would be the most appropriate technology.  Our foremost consideration was enabling individual teaching styles to be improved by the quality of our Web based media resources. Some other technological considerations were:

• Integrates with existing instructional technologies such as SmartBoard, tablet PC, PowerPoint, and a document camera.
• Provides reliable cross-platform delivery of distance learning classes without additional end user software requirements.
• Integrates with existing broadcast quality distance learning classroom.
• Slide syncing technology that does not require several hours of post production.    
  

We selected a product called MediaSite that is a rich media encoder which captures video and any VGA graphic at a high resolution.  At the end of each class, the recordings are automatically posted to the server and ready for play back on demand. This technology is here for your use to help you present your classes effectively. Contact the FIC’s distance learning coordinator Jack Prather at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.