Collaborative teaching and video-conferencing in Classics, Swansea University

Video-conferencing is used to support and deliver modules in classics.

Three Universities in Wales collaborate: Swansea University, University of Wales and Cardiff University  

Seminar-like modules are presented by one university. It’s up to the departments
and staff to use video-conferencing or not. A minimum of one module per university is agreed. Students from all three universities can take part.

The universities have invested in commercial conferencing systems with technical support by the supplier. A Blackbord site is used for delivering material for the video-conferencing sessions.

Introduction sessions are held for staff new to the technology.

Benefits:

·         draw on external resources

·         enriched syllabus

·         introduction of leading scholars in the field

·         teaching as part of a wider team

·         clear cost-saving benefits

·         video-network encourages politeness and staff to think about their dress sense

Drawbacks:

·         initial period of adjustment to using the video-conferencing network

·         a training issue for staff doing classes occasionally

·         small groups of students can feel isolated

·         increased use of the network for meetings can cause difficulties to book regular slots

My View:

Improving the process of collaboration between the Universities with this new means was an innovation in their context. Students and staff profit from it. Having clear cost savings on top of a generally appreciated approach is more than most innovations in e-learning I came across can claim for.

However, I expected something different: I was hoping to find a case study describing two or more teachers holding lessons using a modern web based conferencing tool.

Does anyone have an example or experience?