BruinCast: Information for Faculty

Bruincast is a service offered by the Office of Instructional Development to video stream and/ or audio podcast undergraduate lectures. test test test 

Note regarding Summer 2007:

In an effort to improve and expand our video streaming service we will not be offering video streaming over the summer.  However we will continue to provide audio podcasts in rooms that are podcast ready.  

How is this different from my normal classes?

Our goal is to make it no different than any other class you teach. We have put (and will continue to put) a great deal of effort into making what we do as unobtrusive as we possibly can. That said, we have no illusions that our presence will not have some impact on what you do in the classroom.

At every lecture, a camera operator will set-up equipment in the projection booth of the lecture hall. Having the operator in the booth will make it easier for the students to forget about the webcast recording. You will see the operator and the camera, but please try to ignore them. You should feel free to do whatever you normally do in the classroom. It is the camera operator’s job to follow you, rather than for you to make any special accommodation to the camera.

Do I need to do anything special at the beginning of each class?

Not particularly. You can let the camera operator know if you have any special requirements for your lecture. If you plan on doing anything out of the ordinary, it might be good to warn the operator in advance. The more the operator knows about your lecture style and approach, the better he or she will be able to adequately capture what happens in your class.

Please make sure that you are wearing the wireless microphone and that it is turned on and working. Without a working microphone, the webcast will be totally in pantomime.

What should I wear?

You don’t need to make any particular accommodations in your wardrobe for the webcasts. Generally (whenever you will appear on camera) you should avoid verylight  or very dark colors. High contrast usually makes the camera’s job tougher. If you wear something very white, the camera will see that as the brightest thing in the picture, correct accordingly and make your face very dark and hard to see. If you wear something too dark, you will probably get lost in the shadows. Finally, it’s best to avoid fine stripes, since they will often cause a moiré pattern that can be distracting.

How should I handle questions from the class?

Since only you will be wearing a microphone during the class, questions from the class will not be picked-up on the webcast version. Please restate or summarize the question before you answer it. That way we will have a complete record of the interaction in the classroom.

Can I use Powerpoint and other visual support?

Yes, we hope you do. The camera operator will follow the action and focus on the screen at the appropriate times.

Please keep in mind that the video image that will ultimately appear on student’s computer screens is quite small. If you try to put too much on a Powerpoint slide, the detail may be lost in the streaming version. An easy work-around is to make the Powerpoint slides available on the course website so that students can follow along as they watch the webcast.

Please be aware that these webcasts are not restricted to a UCLA audience. Pay particular attention to the use of copyrighted material in your lectures. If the use of copyrighted material cannot be avoided, please inform the camera operator ahead of time.

As with any class, please plan to arrive early to allow sufficient time to connect your laptop to the projection system.

Can I use the chalkboard/whiteboard?

Yes, of course. The operator in the booth will follow the action during your class. If you choose to use the chalkboard, he or she will ensure that a good clear shot of what you have written is held on the screen long enough for students to read it and copy it down.

Please keep in mind that the video image that will ultimately appear on student’s computer screens is quite small. If you limit the length of the lines you write, the camera will be able to frame what you have written closer and make it appear bigger on the screen. An effective strategy is to divide the board into a number of narrow sections. If you plan to make extensive use of the board, please consult with the camera operator.

Will students be able to watch the on-line version of the lecture while it is happening?

No. At this point we are not making the on-line lectures available as a live webcast. Normally, lectures will be available for viewing the day following the lecture. If you have a special request to make them available earlier or later we will make every effort to accommodate your request.

Does this mean that at a lot of students will watch the lectures on-line instead of attending class in person?

While there is nothing to prevent students from skipping class and watching them on-line later, this is not usually the case.  At other institutions that offer webcasting, students use the on-line versions as review and reinforcement, instead of a substitute.

How do students access the webcasts?

Courses are listed on the Bruincast page.

Is there any information about the effects of course webcasting on students and faculty?

We are doing assessment and evaluation of the program during Fall 2005, and will post the information here when it is available.

Who do I contact for more information about BruinCast?

Email bruincast@ucla.edu, or contact Daniel Bustos, Classroom Services Instructional Technologist, UCLA Office of Instructional Development, (310)794-9146.