Interactive video in online learning

The department of distance and open learning of the University Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC) has over 30 years experience in distance teaching in Sciences. The university staff involved in this department are often the first adopters of technological improvements and innovations so that they attain their primary objective of minimising desistence and failure. They have at their disposal the multimedia production centre that the university wishes to maintain at the cutting edge of technology. 

We offer to our students a live interactive video correction of old exam papers. The students have the opportunity to intervene through the chat open on the Sakaï-platform. Volunteer students invited for the occasion into the recording studio read the comments from other participants in real time. The technical solution that we have retained for the recording is based upon Real Media visual software. This broadcasting, together with possibility of later downloads and its modalities are greatly appreciated. As a side remark, we notice that the wider use of this tool will demand specific formation of the training staff. We can testify that this utilisation of the ICT department’s expertise is successful. Indeed it allows long distance students to remain motivated and feel less isolated whilst at the same time makes them feel part of the “university campus activities”. Future use of a similar concept for on-campus students is being envisaged and pilot programme in first year undergraduate campus teaching is starting in the forthcoming academic year.

To see the full video session (in French) go to rtsp://video1.cpm.jussieu.fr/Archive/visio/lm110/session210510.rm.