Recording, Best Practices

Security for Recording Courses

Security enhancements have been put in place that require use of your IdentiKey and AD synchronization in order to record course lectures using Tegrity. If you haven't done this already, follow these steps:

1. Activate your IdentiKey
   Go to http://www.colorado.edu/its/docs/accounts/identikey.html#getidentikey for instructions from ITS.
   If you don't have an IdentiKey, contact the IT Service Center at 303-735-4357 (5-HELP from an on-campus phone). An IT Service Center representative will verify your information over the phone and have your IdentiKey created.
2. Synch your IdentiKey with the Active Directory (AD)
   Once you have your IdentiKey go to http://adsync.colorado.edu. Type in your IdentiKey Username and Password and then click the ADSync button.
   Note that if you are accessing the ADSync site from off campus, the VPN must be used. If the ADSync site does not appear in the browser, go to https://cuvpn.colorado.edu/dana-na/auth/url_default/welcome.cgi. Enter your username and password and click the "Sign In" button. When the next page appears type in "http://adsync.colorado.edu" in the window located in the upper-right corner, and then click the "Browse" button. This will take you to the ADSync page. Follow the instructions above.

Cancelling Classes

If you are planning to cancel class, or will not be recording due to testing inform the CAETE studio personnel as far in advance as possible so that students can be advised as soon as possible. We usually will catch this when you mention it during class, but not always.

To arrange for make-up sessions, contact the CAETE studio.

Pre-Recording Classes

If you will be away from campus during your scheduled class time, you can pre-record your lecture. Arrange a studio time with the CAETE studio staff at least one week in advance. Be sure to provide the associated handouts to Student Services in the CAETE Office.

Special Review Sessions

If you conduct special review sessions for your main campus students contact the CAETE studio staff to reserve a room, so that we can record the sessions for your distance learning students as well.

Contact the CAETE studio staff as soon as possible to arrange for special sessions.

Numbering Class Sessions and Media

Each class session is assigned a number (e.g., #1 for the first session, #2 for the second session, etc.). Media are numbered consecutively.

If a session is cancelled, that media number is given to the following session (e.g., If Session #5 on Monday is canceled, then the media of the following class on Wednesday becomes #5).

When referring to a previous class during a lecture, refer to the Session and Media Number rather than the date of the class, since students at remote sites view the media at different times.

Student Microphones

If you teach in rooms 1B14 or 1B28, please remind students not to pick at, scratch or otherwise destroy the student mikes. Besides ruining the mikes, they tend to create a lot of extraneous noise that interferes with the recording.

Dressing for Success

No special clothing or make-up is necessary. However, tight repetitive patterns can cause image problems for the camera as does bright white or black shirts or blouses or combinations of white and black as this affects the contrast. Just about anything else is fine. Be aware of the placement of the lavaliere microphone as jewelry and fabric folds can affect the audio quality.

Voice Levels

Speak in a normal voice. In the larger classrooms, there is an audio boost so that students seated at the rear of the room will be able to hear you clearly. Pause for emphasis after special points. Avoid monotone effect by varying volume and pace.

Instructor Movement

While most of your presentation can be given from behind the desk/podium, some movement is permitted within the lighted area. If you wish to move about, tell the board operator beforehand and a wide shot will be used so that you can move without the camera having to follow you across the platform.

Session Timeliness

Be sure to start and end each session on time. We are on a tight, fixed schedule. Try to get to the studio five minutes prior to class start time. This gives you an opportunity to get comfortably settled in before class begins. It gives our studio personnel an opportunity to do a microphone check and ensure that everything is ready for your class session.

Two minutes before class end time, you will see the CAETE logo card displayed on your preview monitor. This is the signal that you have two minutes to wrap up the class session. Be sure to end sessions on time as another class is typically scheduled after yours. Take after class discussions with students into the hallway so that staff can properly prepare the studio for the next class.

Interaction with Students

Below are some best practices to use in order to make distance learning students feel that they are an integral part of the class:

• Periodically acknowledge your distance learning students by speaking to them directly at times and soliciting responses/communication from them via e-mail or threaded discussion groups on the course website, CULearn, or eCollege. You might refer to them during the class lectures, perhaps sharing some of their input with the in-class students. One suggestion is to have the distance students submit a short (four-sentence) bio that you could share with the in-class students as a means of introduction.
• Solicit the participation of the distance learning students. Encourage their questions for discussion in the next class period.
• When you get questions from your in-class students, repeat or rephrase the question prior to responding to ensure that all students have heard the question.
• To preclude extraneous noise from being recorded, keep your classroom door closed.
• In addition to making eye contact with the in-class students, remember to make eye contact with your distance learning students as well by looking directly at the mid-room or rear camera. Treat that camera as another student in the classroom; it represents all your distance learning students.
• Write legibly on the tablet using large letters and numbers.
• Share how you and your TA can be contacted (office hours, phone numbers, e-mail address, etc.)
• Keep distance learning students informed about deadlines. Remind them of the delay (one week typically; sometimes longer for international or hard-to-reach areas) for media/exam delivery.