As most staff would be aware, live streaming became available for Echo360 lecture recordings last year, and live streaming is automatically enabled for cohorts of over 150 (in Arts it’s 180, Human Sciences 80). As has been the practice since 2012, all lectures in rooms with Echo360 devices are automatically recorded (with students using the recordings mainly for revision or if they are unable to make the lecture).
We thought we’d troubleshoot some technical questions that have arisen of late regarding live streaming and Echo360 recordings.
Powerpoint upgrade
Q: A recent powerpoint upgrade has meant that your presentation may automatically open by default in ‘Presenter View’ (on both the lectern device or your own). The ‘Presenter View’ now defaults to a higher resolution than what the Echo device passes (meaning the presentation may not be recorded or broadcast).
A: We suggest in all cases that you take your presentation out of “Presenter View” and switch to “Slide Show” view or “Mirror” to solve this issue. Echo are aware of the resolution issue, and are working on solutions.
Corrupted USBs
Q: Sometimes a corrupted USB stick can cause problems with your presentation, if it is played through the USB.
A: Download the powerpoint to the resident computer or play it directly out of iLearn – don’t play your presentation out of the USB
Flash Player update
Q: Adobe Flash player has also been upgraded, so students will need to upgrade and also ‘enable’ their flash player.
A: Click here for instructions on how to upgrade, or an alert should pop up linking to the upgrade, then students will need to ‘enable’ Flash for Echo360.org in their settings.
Playing DVDs
Q: There has been at least one case where a DVD played in the lectern Blu-Ray device did not broadcast through Echo360.
A: We suggest that if you want to play a DVD, don’t play it out of the Blu-Ray device on lectern, play it out of your own laptop (connecting to the monitor via VGA or HDMI) or upload the video to your Echo360 library or to iShare prior to the lecture and play it out of that. If you have any questions about copyright content being broadcast and recorded with Echo360, please refer to the information on Copyright for Teaching on the website or in the Echo360 FAQs.
Don’t MUTE
Q: Be careful with and pay attention to the MUTE button. There has been at least one case where a lecture was not recorded or broadcast because the lecturer didn’t realise the previous lecturer had muted the microphone and recording. Please do not mute the microphone or recording and please check if it is muted before you start your lecture. Some students with a hearing disability need the live stream to have the lecture transcribed, some students have opted-in for live streaming, so the lecture is required to be live streamed and most students use the recording to revise content before exams. Please note that live streaming does not mean there is a camera view. All camera views have been turned off by default, but you can opt-in to have one turned on if you want this value-add for your students.
Using MACs for presentations
Q: If you’re using your own Mac laptop to run your presentation, please note that some Mac laptops run a higher screen resolution (windows devices are fine) than what the Echo360 device can pass, so some are not being recorded or broadcast.
A: Please use the resident PC to run your presentation.
Good microphone technique
Q: Some students have given feedback that they are unable to adequately hear the lecturer through the live stream or recording, either because the lecturer did not use a microphone or used it incorrectly.
A: Please always use a microphone in your lectures, specifically for the live streams and recordings. Projecting is a good skill, but because of hearing issues in students and for lecture recordings, you need to always use a mic. Even in small rooms, you may not feel like you need to use one (for the people in the room), but the room may not have a PA system, so it’s specifically for those watching the live stream or a recording.
Please be mindful of these microphone techniques:
- Where possible, the best option is to use the lapel/radio mic. Clip the mic somewhere near the chest, not on collar and please be mindful of jewellery, ties or any other obstruction that could interfere with the microphone. When using the lapel/radio mic, please always return it to the charger. We’ve had at least one case where the mic was left uncharged, so the next lecturer was unable to use it.
- If using the lectern mic, stay near the lectern and speak into the mic. If you want to move away from the lectern, use a lapel/radio mic or a hand held mic.
- If using a handheld (icecream) mic, keep the mic as close to the chin as possible and keep your mic hand steady (not waving it about).
Change browser
Q: If students are having playback issues (the live stream or recording is not playing properly)
A: Login into iLearn and Echo using another browser (e.g. from Chrome to Firefox) or upgrade Adobe Flash
What to do if a lecture wasn’t recorded
Q: If there was an issue with a lecture recording and it wasn’t recorded correctly
A: either
- Retrieve a lecture recording from a previous session and post in iLearn
- Do a personal capture recording in your office or
- Book a studio to do a personal capture recording
If you have any other technical issues to report or to provide feedback, please lodge a OneHelp ticket.
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