Announcing the Integrated Video Project

CTIL, Hybrid Teaching, Learning Spaces, Lecture Capture, Panopto, Project, Technology Enhanced Spaces Hamish Loveday

In recent years, we have made significant gains in enhancing our video capabilities to better support student learning. From lecture capture and hybrid delivery to the production of rich asynchronous video content, the university has been committed to leveraging technology to improve the learning experience.

However, we acknowledge that there is still much work to be done, and so i’m pleased to announce the launch of the Integrated Video Project. This initiative aims to build on our existing progress and take our video services to the next level, with a focus on producing a more capable and reliable service for the production, management, and distribution of video content.

With the Integrated Video Project, we will be able to provide even more robust and user-friendly video services to students and academics alike. Our goal is to empower educators to create engaging and effective video content that enhances the learning experience for all students. We are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible with video technology in education, and we invite you to join us on this journey.

Project Background

In 2018, we implemented YuJa as our primary video platform, based on our then-modest requirements. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shift towards online education, as well as the adoption of advanced hybrid teaching spaces and universal lecture capture capabilities, our needs for a centralised video service have grown and evolved significantly. As such, we are launching the Integrated Video Project to identify our updated requirements and create a service that can meet our needs going forward.

Project Goals

The goal of the Integrated Video Project is to achieve the following:

Review our requirements for a centralised video service that supports the production, management, and distribution of video across all educational activities. This includes lecture capture, streaming, content production, and integration with My Dundee, among others.
Utilise the updated requirements in a new procurement process to select the best possible platform that meets our evolving needs.
Implement the selected platform as part of a refreshed integrated video service, complete with improved workflows, training, guides, and integrations. By doing so, we will ensure that the new platform meets our requirements and that it is integrated seamlessly into our educational activities.

Project Timeline

We’ve planned a 16-month project timeline, with a target delivery date of June 5, 2024. This extended timeline allows us to thoroughly build and test the service before introducing it into the wild. It also provides ample time for communication, training, and adoption before the 2024/25 academic year:

Timeline Notes

An early-adopter program will run during semester 2 of the 2023/24 academic year, operating alongside the existing service to gather real-world user feedback and create a pool of “champions” to share their experiences when full adoption begins.
The onboarding process (training) will start in April 2024 and run for an extended period to accommodate staff schedules.
The procurement aims to identify the best video platform for our needs. So YuJa, our current platform, may still be the ideal choice depending on the outcome of the process. We will update project plans accordingly depending on whether we will have a different central platform or not.

Linked and Future Projects

You may have noticed two offshoots in the timeline: “Timetable-Linked Lecture Capture” and “Baseline Standard Teaching Spaces.” While these projects are still in the early proposal stages, they represent our next steps in enhancing video capabilities.

Timetable-Linked Lecture Capture seeks to automate the recording process for teaching activities. Ideally, the system would recognize class information, recording requirements, and publishing workflows based on existing platforms like the timetable, requiring minimal input from instructors.
Baseline Standard Teaching Spaces aims to improve upon last year’s lecture capture project by upgrading microphone quality and standardizing control panels across all teaching spaces, ensuring a consistent experience for students and faculty.

While these projects require further definition, costing, and approval, we hope this information highlights our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in this area.

Get involved

If you’re interested in getting involved with the Integrated Video Project, please fill out the form below. It’s important to note that by submitting your information, you’re simply expressing interest and not committing to anything. You’re free to withdraw your name at any time.

As a volunteer, you may be contacted for stakeholder feedback at various times throughout the project. This could involve a 30-minute interview about a specific aspect of the video service or a group session to discuss the lecture capture workflow. We may also reach out to you with specific questions or ideas that we’d like feedback on.

By signing up, you’ll be added to a mailing list and asked to help out on a case-by-case basis. You can choose to participate whenever it’s convenient for you.

Next Steps

As the project progresses, updates will be shared via this blog, MS Teams, and staff newsletters. Major announcements will be sent via email as needed. Stay connected with your School Digital Champions, who will be informed during fortnightly CTIL meetings. Feel free to reach out to me directly via Teams or email with any questions.

Thank you for your time, and I hope you have a great day wherever you are.

Hamish Loveday (Digital Education Services Manager)

One more thing…

I have some exciting news to share with you all. Jonathan Walker has been appointed to build and lead a new AV team within Digital & Technology Services. Many of you may have already experienced Jonathan’s excellent support and the outstanding work of his team.

There will likely be a formal announcement once the new service is up and running. In the meantime, please join me in congratulating Jonathan on his new role and wishing him all the best as he takes on this exciting opportunity.