The ability to create an accurate, easily accessible online representation of the classroom experience, complete with audio, video and synchronized instructional materials, serves as a valuable archive that undergrad students use to make-up missed classes, review complex topics discussed in class that day, and as a study tool before exams. This “living notebook” archive can serve as professional reference material throughout the student's career. In addition, many students use the archived recordings to supplement or replace hours of detailed note taking in class, resulting in a more interactive classroom experience.

Villanova University's College of Engineering, an industry leader in online engineering graduate programs, is studying the effects of integrating Sonic Foundry's Mediasite rich media technology with its WebCT course management and academic enterprise system tools to archive traditional undergraduate courses. In this session, the presenter will give an overview of the study and provide metrics that demonstrate how students were able to improve learning outcomes due to the ability to access any lecture, anytime to review a topic.