In any modern university, it has become a core capability for lecturers to record their lectures, and use the recordings in a number of ways to enhance the teaching and learning processes. To this end, we have launched a lecture capture pilot project in 2013, specifically aimed at sustainability and affordability.

Development and experimentation with hardware configurations over the past 18 months, has yielded a solid and cost-effective solution, far outstripping the value proposition of competing offerings. As part of our pilot project, three lecture rooms on the Vanderbijlpark Campus, 4 in Potchefstroom and 1 in Mahikeng were equipped with lecture capturing equipment.

Requests for more have already been received. Since we started the project, it has become clear that this tool has potential in more areas. In close collaboration with translation services, the system was enhanced to accept audio tracks in multiple languages. The translated audio track is now recorded with the original soundtrack, and students can view the recorded lecture with the language track of their choice. eFundi was also extended to display the relevant recorded lectures with the resources of each module in a familiar environment.

The enhancements to the system was submitted back to the Opencast Foundation, and was received with enthusiasm when presented at the Matterhorn Conference in June 2015.

Making recorded lectures available with audio tracks in multiple languages is another South-African first for the NWU, and has great potential to enhance the learning process.

3 July 2015