The Recording of Taught Sessions Code of Practice states that any new material taught to students should be recorded for their later reference, including material taught in lecture theatres and classrooms, and not just as part of online teaching. This refers only to new information taught to the students and does not apply to other aspects of taught sessions, such as discussions, student-led investigation into the material, role-play, simulation, etc., though these can be recorded if desired.

All lecture theatres and standard classrooms are equipped for recording, with the exception of some specialist spaces, such as labs. The equipment in these rooms is standardised with only a few variations, and comprises of a webcam on the monitor and a boundary microphone on the lectern itself, which can pick up audio from 10-20 feet (3-6 metres). These can be used with a range of software available on the lectern PC, including Panopto, Teams, ScreenPal and Collaborate.

Classroom “Start-up” checklist to facilitate an easy session recording experience

This checklist outlines recommended ‘start-up’ activities which should take place upon entry to the teaching space, before starting to deliver a session, for the purpose of facilitating the easy and efficient delivery of a recorded on-campus session.

• Log on to Lectern PC
• Switch on Projector / screen using control panel on lectern
• Power up visualiser if being used
• Check Boundary Mic isn’t covered by books, papers, etc., or fallen off lectern
• If using Panopto to record, log in to Blackboard -> open module for class being taught -> open Panopto ->click Create Button and select Panopto Capture.
• If not using Panopto, open other tool, such as Teams, Collaborate or ScreenPal
• Check Camera & Mic 
• Test classroom audio if required
• Open any / all presentation(s) and other materials, including web pages in individual tabs, to be shown on screen / recorded [so as to be able to rapidly switch between them whilst recording, rather than having long delays whilst finding / launching]
• Close any applications that may cause ‘pop-up’ notifications that could reveal confidential information (e.g. Outlook)
• Launch any other tools to be used in session (e.g. Jisc attendance)
• When ready, start recording, switch to teaching materials and deliver sessions as usual

End of Session

• Switch back to recording tool and stop recording.
• If using Panopto, Teams, or Collaborate you can then shut down and leave the room, but if using ScreenPal you’ll need to save the recording and upload it to Panopto or OneDrive for later access, editing, etc.

Printable version of this checklist (DOCX, 16.1KB)

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The Digital Learning Team can support you with using digital tools for teaching and learning.