iLectures - Designing and developing interactive lectures using cloud-based broadcasting solutions

Evaluate the design, development and implementation of an online broadcasting approach to enhance computer science teaching and learning. The model replaces the traditional lecture approach of students attending a dedicated lecture room on campus with a web-based live broadcast approach (iLecture) focuses on students ‘doing’ rather than students listening.

Students can attend the lecture by viewing a live cloud-based broadcast of the lecturer (talking head) and lecturer’s desktop (slides, code etc.) via a web browser. They have the ability to send the lecturer text-based comments, they can also copy, edit, practice and run the lecturers programming code on their own PCs. Supporting the practice 'learning by doing'. Broadcasts are also recorded so that students have the ability to playback the lectures on a web browser or on their mobile device.

The lecturer can also communicate to the cohort of students via the 'comments' tool. The system also lets the lecture monitor attendance of the class (100+) automatically.

Finally the cost of such a system is very competitive compared to the cost of the commercial products available to HE. The use of third-party cloud-based video broadcasting services are used to broadcast (Twitch.tv) and store (youtube.com) the iLecture greatly reduces the costs. It also reduces the strain on the University's network.