Why No Video Lectures and Teleconference Video Discussions?

I have taken classes at four different online universities and have yet to take a class that requires viewing video lecture. I would also think a school would, allowing for time zone differences, set up an occasional video teleconference discussion. Yet, I have never seen one of those happen either. Am I missing something here? Has anyone had any experience with a DL school doing those sort of things? I would think that both would be a great benefit.

 

No doubt it would come at a larger tuition cost as well. I believe the more expensive B&M distance programs have such videos in use in some courses.

 

I agree! Southern Methodist University's $3,441.00 per course. All through video lectures, and the students must be on the same pace on campus. I believe George Washington University has the same method; and it is expensive as well.

I am not sure, but I think Harvard University - Extension School use video lectures.

 

Harvard Extension is relative inexpensive and has video lectures on all its classes.

You can actually watch for free the first (and sometimes the second) lectures of a lot of the courses.

I've watched some of those and they are all high quality material - I was really impressed (where else could you get a class about "Tolkien as a translator").

That's actually one of the reasons I almost enrolled in the Master in Journalism of Harvard Extension.

 

Thus far Bellevue has made limited use of video lectures, at least in my MIS class I'm in now. We have a weekly introduction via video to the concepts in the chapter, basically a short lecture and then all of our final project requirements and grading standards were written as well as discussed via video lecture.

Of course the video is in a very small frame and nothing approaching high resolution, I assume to make sure everyone can see it okay. And Bellevue is pretty inexpensive all said and done.

 

Before the Internet I took two distance learning courses through Los Angeles area Community Colleges which used video lectures - these (updated) are now available here:
http://www.learner.org/index.html

Also in my area I know that USC and CSUDH both have remote viewing of lectures (one via satellite and one via cable TV) - the problem here was that you had to view at a specific time (in other words the lectures were live).

In Canada and the UK courses are conducted by television broadcast.

 

The same thing could be done online. But, so far, I have not heard of it.

 

I love the idea of watching video lectures. At Fort Hays I get a textbook and PBS DVDs. The Jazz class I took had a ton of audio lectures, but that’s about it.

 

like others have said, Haaarvaard does Our extension classes were up on the tele within 24 hours of each class, so no prerecorded videos from the 80's lol. The AJU MBA class I started used web cam posts on the forum, and a program I'm looking at through University of Illinois uses real time video teleconfrence discussions. I think they exist, just not everywhere.

 

I'm doing a BRS with NationsU, and although obviously not part of the courses, I have been suplementing my study with OTHER schools video (Chiefly Yale of recent.) recordings of lectures. If not part of your school or program, you can scout around for opencourseware in the same topic with which you can augment your studies in your text-only classes.

 

My program didn't really have video lectures, but did have a fair amount of narrated powerpoint (easier to download or stream), and Breeze sessions were held by many profs as well; Breeze was also available to students for each class to videoconference/teleconference between each team or group.

Most profs also had an introductory course video which helps you "get to know" the face behind the e-mails, but it wasn't strictly required. Unless you're always doing your class from a home or work broadband connection bandwidth is never assured (try a hotel with shared wireless).

 

The Colorado State IE/OR and Statistics programs used taped/CD lectures that were sent out a week after the on campus class.

I beleive UA-huntsvilles IE/OR program uses streaming video first live and then archived for later viewing.

 

Yes, I'm sure bandwidth is a huge issue. Now, however, I'm pretty sure a majority of households have broadband. So maybe video is something that we will be seeing more of in the future.

 

Maybe I'm antisocial or something, but I'm unmoved by video lectures. I don't have broadband and couldn't receive them easily and they would just be a hassle in my opinion. On my personal DL features-checklist, requiring them might be a mild program negative.

I think that lectures are important, but I prefer to read them at my own pace and think about what I'm reading as I read it. Even more important than lectures (which can be replaced with textbooks) is the opportunity to actually question the professor and to engage in class discussions in which the professor and the other students are all actively participating back-and-forth.

But again, I prefer a written-discussion format (like here on Degreeinfo) since ideas can actually be expressed in paragraphs and not just in 20 words or less, time can be spent composing ideas intelligently as opposed to just popping off with whatever immediately comes to mind, and supporting data and links can be appended as needed.

My own feeling is that those benefits far outweigh my being able to look at the professor while he/she is lecturing.

 

Broadband penetration in the US is growing, but a program who requires high bandwidth will limit themselves. Many people who pursue degrees via DL do so because the asynchronous nature permits them to study while traveling for work. I could log in via aircard, wireless hot spot or the hotel with varying levels of bandwidth and get done what was required. If I had needed to watch video lectures I'm not sure I would have gone with my program.

 

Good point. It would tend to limit the asynchronous nature of the class. The question is whether or not that limitation would be offset by the possibility of a higher quality learning experience. I'm not saying it would be, I just wonder. The idea of having to log in at a certain time to be a part of a discussion might be a trial for many people. But it would still beat having to go to a class in person.

 

I always found lectures boring and not all that informative. They were something you had to endure to make it through the class. So I tend to agree. Teleconference class discussions might be interesting though. Ever heard of anyone doing that?

 

A good question. If I were to look at a narrow example - Indiana's 3 MBA programs - they cater to different audiences.

Full Time - typically for the early careerist (or career switcher who wants to build contacts); 2 years without earnings so need to have the financial means to study in residence

Part Time - typically for the person who cannot for some reason study full time (perhaps work or family commitments) but wants a face-to-face experience

Distance Learning - typically for the person who cannot (or doesn't want to) study full time and/or a mid-career person wanting to expand their skills or pedigree

To me, the prospect of sitting through 2 hour online lectures doesn't appeal, but I prefer to learn independently with professor and peer support.

 

I've had chat sessions which were somewhat interesting and productive, but I don't think video and even audio would work. Video would consume an insane amount of bandwidth (each student having a webcam) and audio has the issue of listening for cues - people tend to talk over one another. If you've ever been on a teleconference call with more than a half dozen people it gets unwieldy when everyone is trying to contribute. Then there's the whole scheduling thing - 7pm Eastern might be good, except if you're working on the west coast. Or it might not be good, because you've got to put your kids to bed. Or you're traveling. Or you're commuting. Or...

That's why the forum approach works well - people have days/a week to post responses and then the discussion proceeds from there. People can post early in the week, late in the week, during the evening, etc.

 

Capitol College uses live teleconferencing for its online courses. Here's a short demo:

http://www.capitol-college.edu/centra/classdemo/classdemo2.html