Learning and Teaching Centre
- Macquarie Home
LTC - For Staff
- Learning
Technologies
- iLecture
iLecture
Semester 1 2009 Booking Deadline - submit your iLecture bookings by Friday 23rd of January 2009. We cannot guarantee recordings for Week 1 to Week 3 for bookings received after this date.
For all forms go to our forms page. For quick and easy questions and answers about iLecture go to our learn.mq Q&A pages.
iLectures are digital recordings of lectures which are transmitted over the Web. iLectures are accessed via a link from your online course unit. As well as listening to the recording it is possible to view PowerPoint slides if they are provided by the lecturer.
iLecture Benefits
- Students can access their lectures 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
- Digital lectures are great for note taking, exam preparation & revisiting complicated material.
If a student is unable to attend lectures due to issues such as timetable clashes, illness, work or family commitments, they may still listen to their lectures. All a student needs is a computer with an Internet connection.
iLecture Contacts
For general information about iLecture contact
Learning Systems Helpdesk
Control Room: W6B 233
Phone: +61-2-9850-7571
Email: ilectures@mq.edu.au
Support Contacts
Support/Training for Staff
Lectern Training
Audio Visual Technology Services holds training sessions at the beginning of each semester in the use of the installed Lecterns and associated audiovisual equipment.
These sessions:
- Cover use of the lectern and facilities available
- Give you hands-on experience
- Provide a chance for question and answer regarding lectern use and I-lecture
Training dates
Type 0 Lectern training
Feb 18 - C5A 307 10-11am
Feb 19 - C5A 307 10-11am
Feb 20 - C5A 307 10-11am
Type 1&2 Lectern Training
Feb 18 - W5A T1 11-12
Feb 19 - E7B T2 11-12
Feb 20 - E7B T2 11-12
Education Services
Educational Services can provide advice on using iLectures as part of your online course unit.
Email: ltc-educ@mq.edu.au
Training in the use of the iLecture Staff Tool
Information/training sessions introducing iLecture will be provided in February each year. Training will include making bookings, using the staff tool and tips for preparing lectures with iLecture in mind. If you wish to have lectures recorded on iLecture, you are strongly advised to attend one of these information sessions.
Email: muotf@laurel.ocs.mq.edu.au
Training notes
iLectures: Using the Staff Tool (pdf)
Staff Tool Support contacts
Online learning support contacts
Email: muotf@laurel.ocs.mq.edu.au
Changes to iLecture schedule
Contact Learning Systems Helpdesk: 9850 7571
Email: ilectures@mq.edu.au
Lodge a problem report
Use the ‘Report a problem with this recording’ feature in the student view of iLecture to report problems with the recording.
Students with disabilities
Contact the Disability Services Coordinator, for advice on services for students using iLecture.
iLecture Demonstration
View demonstrations of Macquarie lecturers using iLecture.
To view the demonstrations you require these free software plug-ins
QuickTime
Download
or stream audio and video
Download from http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Adobe Reader
View,
navigate and print PDF files
Download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
The software works with your browser and may be downloaded free of charge. For help installing QuickTime and Adobe Reader, select Software and Hardware under Technical Issues at the Online Teaching Facility.
iLectures and Staff
The iLecture System has been designed to support the existing lecture program and facilitate the capture of lectures without additional workload for the lecturer. All the system requires is that a lecturer book their recordings prior to semester. When the microphone is turned on during each of their lectures the recording is triggered. Lectures are automatically digitised and delivered to WebCT for streaming or download.
Using the Staff Tool, teaching staff are able to add information that appears online with the recording, for example, lecture details, such as a title or outline. If PowerPoint slides are used with your lecture, these may be uploaded to the iLecture system and made available online in different formats. A print friendly pdf format allows students to print lecture outlines to assist in note taking. It is possible to upload documents in a range of formats into iLecture.
Instructions on how use the Staff Tool are available in the training notes iLectures: Using the Staff Tool (PDF). Additional information about uploading PowerPoint slides, factors to consider when recording lectures and other considerations such as copyright are also addressed in this document.
iLecture supported venues
iLectures may be recorded from the following venues:
Mason |
X5B 136 |
W6B 315 |
E6A 109 |
It is also possible to record lectures in the studio and make them available through the iLecture system. Lectures made using analogue technology may be converted to digital form and accessed using iLecture.
Contact the Learning Systems Help Desk for more information.
Phone: 9850 7571.
Bookings
The iLecture Service can be used for recording lecture series, one-off lectures, special events, seminars, and conferences in the supported venues.
iLecture is now used for all lecture recordings.
Booking for iLectures are essential. Book early, as soon as you know your timetable details for next semester. To change or cancel your booking notice in writing or email is required - ilectures@mq.edu.au.
Booking forms
Complete both the forms below and send to: iLecture, LTC
Internal mail: iLecture Bookings, LTC In person: C7A 118
The iLecture Account allows access to the iLecture Staff Tool where lecture details may be added and modified and published along with the lecture.
Deadlines for Semester 1, 2009
The deadline for single event bookings is one week before the event. Bookings for Semester 1 should be made by 23 January 2009.
Changes to iLecture schedule
Contact Learning Systems Helpdesk: 9850 7571
Email: ilectures@mq.edu.au
Lecturing with iLecture in mind
The iLecture system is not intended to impact heavily on your lecturing style. Ideally the accessibility to AV technology will enhance your lectures.
A few points should be kept in mind to make iLectures a valuable experience for students.
- Turn on the microphone to begin recording and take care to always to speak into it. Try not to turn your head away. Use a wireless microphone if you wish to move away from the lectern.
- ‘Sign-post’ the lecture by indicating when you are moving to a new point or slide. The PowerPoint slides do not automatically advance in the iLecture Caster and students must click on hypertext links to progress from slide to slide. Indicate the slide title or number when you move to a new slide.
- If students ask questions, repeat these before answering so that everyone can hear including listeners online.
- When creating slides, use the ‘Click to insert title’ feature. These titles are used by the iLecture system to create the hypertext links in the iLecture Caster.
- Use the iLecture Staff Tool to inform students about what to expect in a lecture. For example, if there is a break in the lecture, use the lecture details field to inform students.
- Bear in mind that the screen displaying slides in the iLecture Caster is not large, so do not include too much detail on the slide or use too small a font.
iLecture and Copyright
Due to the automated nature of the iLecture system, AVTS will no longer provide any monitoring or editing of lecture recordings (including audios or videos presented during the lecture). Therefore it is the responsibility of the lecturer to ensure that material recorded during a lecture conforms to the copyright guidelines provided at www.copyright.mq.edu.au/ilecture.
Software
Two free software plug-ins are required to use iLecture features
QuickTime
Download
or stream audio and video
Download from http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Adobe Reader
View,
navigate and print PDF files
Download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
The software works with your browser and may be downloaded free of charge. For help installing QuickTime and Adobe Reader, select Software and Hardware under Technical Issues at the Online Teaching Facility.
Support for Students
Instructions
A Quick Guide giving instructions in accessing and using iLectures is available from the Online Teaching Facility. Select the iLecture link.
Lodge a problem report
Use the ‘Report a problem with this recording’ feature in iLecture.
IT Help
Library, Level 1
Email: ithelp@mq.edu.au or via the
Just Ask form at http://www.lib.mq.edu.au/justask/
ICQ#: 32801246
Web: http://www.sith.mq.edu.au/
Phone: (02) 9850 HELP, (02) 9850 4357 (in Sydney) or 1 800 063 191 (outside
Sydney)
What software and hardware is required to use the iLecture system?
Two free software plug-ins are required to use iLecture features
QuickTime
Download
or stream audio and video
Download from http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Adobe Reader
View,
navigate and print PDF files
Download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
The software works with your browser and may be downloaded free of charge. For help installing QuickTime and Adobe Reader, select Software and Hardware under Technical Issues at the Online Teaching Facility.
iLecture FAQs
Questions and Support
-
Who should I contact if I have queries about the iLecture Service or need help?
-
Staff Tool Support contacts
Online learning support contacts -
Training in the use of the iLecture Staff Tool
Training courses
Email: muotf@laurel.ocs.mq.edu.au -
Training notes
iLectures: Using the Staff Tool (pdf) -
Changes to iLecture schedule
Inform AVTS no later than 24 hours before the lecture with details of the change in venue and time.
Contact Learning Systems Helpdesk: 9850 7571
Email: ilectures@mq.edu.au -
Lodge a problem report
Use the Report a problem with this recording feature in the student view of iLecture to report problems with the recording.
-
-
What training is offered in using the iLecture Staff Tool?
Training is offered by the Online Learning Support staff.
Program Schedule
Contact the Online Learning Support staff
Email: muotf@laurel.ocs.mq.edu.au. -
How do students get help if they have a problem with iLectures?
In the first instance students should use the problem reporting facility in the iLecture system. This allows for a problem to be reported about a specific iLectureStudents may also consult Student IT Help.
-
Where can students get instructions about iLecture?
A Quick Guide is provided for students at the Online Teaching Facility.
Recording and scheduling iLectures
What does the iLecture System record?
The audio that is recorded is the same audio that comes through the speakers in the lecture theatre. For example, if you play a CD, video or DVD during the lecture, the audio from these devices will be recorded. Similarly the audio from all of the microphones provided is recorded (assuming the microphone is switched on). There are copyright implications if audio from DVDs or videos is recorded.
How can I suspend the recording?
In rooms with the new lecterns, press the ‘Rec Mute’ button on the touch screen panel - this will suspend the recording while you play copyright material. Please note that you must press the ‘Rec Mute’ button again to reactivate the recording. A STOP icon (a red ring and slash across the yellow circle) will appear on the Rec Mute button while it is muted. When you toggle the switch again, the stop icon will disappear and the recording will resume.
In rooms that do not have the new lecterns, turn the microphone off.
If you do suspend recording during the lecture, note that your iLecture recording will have a period of time when students will hear a repeated message advising that the recording has been suspended for copyright reasons. You can use the Staff Tool to post a message that the recording was suspended for 'X' minutes and this will appear in the iLecture listing.
I checked my lectures and there was a problem, for example there was no sound. What should I do?
Contact Learning Systems Helpdesk: 9850 7571
Email: ilectures@mq.edu.au
You may also lodge a problem report via the Report a problem with this recording feature in the lecture view of iLecture.
At what point does the lecture start or stop recording?
iLectures are based around the standard MU lecture schedule. It is expected that lectures will begin at 5 minutes past the hour and end at 5 minutes to the hour. For example, a one hour lecture will start at 11.05 and conclude at 11.55. A two-hour lecture will start at 11.05 and conclude at 12.55. Special ‘one-off’ recordings will start and conclude at the times specified.
The recording is 'auto-triggered' – the recording will start when the microphone first picks up sound or is turned on after the system has started 'listening'. Once a recording has started, it then runs for the scheduled duration and the end of the recording occurs at the scheduled time, not when the microphone is turned off.
I need to change the time/venue of the scheduled recording. What do I do?
Inform AVTS before the lecture with details of the change in venue and time.
Contact Learning Systems Helpdesk: 9850 7571
Email: ilectures@mq.edu.au
How do I know when a lecture has become available online?
Email notifications will be sent when a lecture is available. The email will also include a link to your iLecture so that you can check that it worked.
How long will it take for my lecture to be available online?
The time can vary but should be available anywhere from 40 minutes to 24 hours.
Copyright
What copyright issues should I be aware of when using iLectures?
Lecturers are responsible for obtaining appropriate permission (including payments) for all material delivered by the iLecture Recording System.
If copyright material is used in your lecture, suspend recording so that it is not captured by the iLecture system.
For more information about what material may be recorded consult the Macquarie University Copyright Unit, Guidelines for iLecture.
Using PowerPoint with iLectures
What should I consider when developing my PowerPoint slides?
Use the ‘Click to Insert Title’ feature in PowerPoint. The iLecture system uses the titles when making slides available online. Titles appear as links to the slide content in the iLecture Caster.
Upload PowerPoint slides before a lecture. Slides are presented in 3 per page pdf format for students to print out and use when note taking. Effects such as fly-ins are removed when processed by the iLecture system. iLecture does not provide progression from one slide to another in synchronization with the audio, so it is recommended that verbal cues to slides are provided in the lecture.
Can I upload other file formats such as Word documents into the iLecture system?
iLecture can now accommodate a range of file formats including Word and Excel as well as PowerPoint.
The PowerPoint slides do not progress along with the iLecture.
That is correct. Students need to click on the PowerPoint Lecture Slide links in the iLecture Caster to progress from slide to slide.
The PowerPoint file that I have uploaded into iLecture isn't available to students yet.
It can take up to a day for your PowerPoint file to be made available online, depending on how many other files are in the processing queue. If your file is still not available after a day, please contact Learning Systems Helpdesk: x7571 or email: ilectures@mq.edu.au.
To avoid processing problems with your PowerPoint file, you can:
- Remove all links, auto-play links, movies and custom animations from your file.
- Ensure that the title for each slide does not contain any special characters e.g. non alpha-numeric characters such as tilda ~, Greek characters, word paragraph tags
- Optimise the images in your PowerPoint file. Smaller images will mean a smaller file - easier for your students to download!
Website Feedback
Please help us by taking a minute to give feedback on our website.