Q-Review and Echo360 in 2009 / 2010
What is it?
Q-Review (http://www.esddelu.org.uk/tag/q-review/) is a ‘lecture capture’ service. The software underlying Q-Review is called Echo360. It will record video, audio, and the presenter’s screen (e.g. PowerPoint, notations or webpages) and combine these into a user-friendly web-based format. The system can automatically record scheduled lectures, produce learning resources and publish them to a choice of distribution mechanisms, e.g. Blackboard CE8, iTunes, webpages, iGoogle, etc.
The system is made up of a series of client installations. These can be software-only installations (e.g. installed on a podium PC), personal capture licenses (typically installed on an academic’s laptop) and full-hardware installations (these are ‘capture appliances’, dedicated hardware, that are installed directly into lecture theatres). These are controlled and report to a central server. A legacy system that is Echo360′s predecessor, Apreso, is still installed in some locations around QM.
Once a schedule has been inputted to a recording appliance, it can continue to record and distribute recordings to students without any involvement from the lecturer.
An example of it being used by Professor Nicholas O’Shaughnessy in the School of Business and Management can be see here http://tinyurl.com/y5h36o7
It has also been used in some departments to record special events (for example a lecture from Shami Chakrabarti can be heard as a podcast here: http://www.law.qmul.ac.uk/podcast/index.html).
What is the project’s history?
The project began in March 2006 and was running at a low-level until spring 2009 when new installations were funded as part of the Teaching Room Refurbishment Project.
This tied in with requests from academics to broaden the availability of the system. We responded to that need by making a portable installation (on a tablet PC) available for short term loans. As part of the Teaching Room Refurbishment project, new systems are were installed into three centrally bookable theatres.
There has been a technical, legal and educational skills need for this project team. ESD can, and has, been providing the educational input and has endeavoured to fill the skills-gap for both technical and legal team members. IT Services, AV and Room Bookings have all contributed to the project over the last year and now all four groups are represented on a project team.
The project is now included in draft KPI’s for top-level college plans. It is nearing the end of the first of a two pilot period.
How many installations exist?
There are currently eight installations of either Echo360 or Apreso across QMUL campuses. All function in conjunction with the ESD server.
- There are three hardware installations in centrally bookable lecture theatres: Perrin in Whitechapel (which is in collaboration with colleagues in the School of Medicine and Dentistry), Fogg in the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and Skeel in the People’s Palace. All three systems are now operational.
- There are two installations in ESD – one is a hardware installation and one is a software-only installation on a tablet PC. Both area available for staff to borrow and trial.
- There are three installations in postgraduate medical programmes; two in Charterhouse Square and one more in the Mile End Hospital.
How many more are planned across College?
- The Teaching Room Refurbishment Project (TRRP) intends to install five more full hardware installations into centrally bookable rooms in summer 2010. These are likely to be placed in Physics LT, People’s Palace, CMLT, Maths LT, and EECS.
- One other postgraduate programme in the Wingate Institute in the Whitechapel campus is planning a full hardware installation in summer 2010
- CCLS in the Lincoln Inn Field’s campus is also investigating one installation.
- EECS are planning one additional installation to that being provided by the TRRP
What are the challenges?
- The complexity of a system that spans and relies upon both the technical and staff resources of three central service departments is a challenge but also a genuine opportunity to promote defined cross-department practices.
- The most obvious danger to the coherence of this project is an expansion that grows beyond the resources allocated.
- Annual license costs are, as always, a challenge.
- Legal issues are an issue that must be addressed. We have produced a Code of Practice with advice from academic colleagues. However we have already encountered situations that are not covered by this Code. This summer, ESD, will write a new version of this Code and welcomes input.
What will happen over the coming year?
Provided here is an overview of the project timeline for the coming academic year.
If you are interested in using the system or have any questions or comments please contact Eoin McDonnell (e.mcdonnell@qmul.ac.uk)