In January 2022, changes have been introduced to video-enabled rooms and livestream settings in Centrally Allocated Teaching Spaces (CATS).
See below how the changes will affect you when teaching in those rooms.
What is livestreaming in Lecture Recordings+?
The livestreaming of a class such as a lecture, tutorial or seminar can take place in a Lecture Recordings+ (LR+) enabled CATS (Centrally Allocated Teaching Spaces) room, for students who are unable to attend class in person. Presentations and other media content including videos can only be live streamed using the LR+ platform. In addition, classes can be recorded for students to access through LR+.
Lecture Recordings+ is used to facilitate live lecture streaming and lecture recordings. The service (also known as Echo360/LR+) is powered by the cloud-based service “Echo360 Active Learning Platform”. For online students in hybrid learning, livestreaming allows them to participate in lectures in real time (at the same time as in-person students). Recorded lectures are useful for in-person and online students as they are permanently stored for review, reflection, etc. in learning.
Changes to video-enabled venues as of January 2022
Several Lecture Recordings+ venues will have a video camera enabled for Term 1, 2022. This will provide students with a more enhanced experience of a recorded and/or live streamed lecture through being able to see the person speaking to the audience, in addition to the slides being presented.
By default, the video camera feed will be included in all recordings for these venues in addition to your presentation and audio. This means the video enabled LR+ spaces are opt-out, and will require a manual opt-out prior to the lectures or classes taking place.
If you would like to disable this feature, please fill in an IT Request Form for all schedules. Please include the Course Name/Code and venue location.
List of video enabled and livestream venues
All video enabled venues are listed here. Please be aware that many of the venues have fixed cameras and the framing cannot be adjusted. If you would like to change venue to access this service please submit a room swap request via myUNSW Room Management or discuss options with your teaching support staff.
Changes to livestreaming as of January 2022
Previously, academic staff were required to submit an IT request to turn on the livestreaming function in LR +. If you are scheduling your lectures or seminars in a Lecture Recordings+ (Echo360) venue for Term 1 2022 onwards, you will now have the option to enable the livestreaming feature inside Lecture Recordings+. This will allow students to attend online using the technology already available in the room.
Please note: Livestreaming is not the default option and needs to be enabled. This means that livestreaming with LR+ is an opt-in option. Staff attached to the course or in a teaching support role can enable livestreaming by selecting 'Livestream' from the recording options listed in the Meeting Details section of myUNSW Class Maintenance.
How is livestreaming different from Hybrid Learning?
The main points of difference between Livestreaming and Hybrid are outlined below:
| Livestreaming | Hybrid | |
| Use of Digital Platforms | Limited to LR+ | Able to facilitate a class using LR+, MS Teams, Zoom and Blackboard Collaborate Ultra |
| Activities, discussions or Q&A between the teaching academics and students | Limited to Chat Function and LR+ features which enable activities such as Polling | Able to facilitate live activities, discussion, Q&A, group activities etc. through the features offered through digital platforms i.e. MS Teams and Zoom |
| Interaction between teaching academics and students attending class in-person and online | Mostly one way interaction - teacher to student | Two-way interaction between teacher and students attending in-person and online; as well as between students themselves |
More information
For more information about Lecture Recordings+, Echo360 and livestreaming, please click here.