From videocassette to video stream: issues involved in re-purposing an existing educational video

Abstract

This paper draws upon our experience of converting an existing educational videocassette into a video stream and presents a case study of the important issues that arose. The process was undertaken to apply some potential benefits of a new technology to support learners in higher education (HE). It was, however, by no means unproblematic and the issues that arose need to receive serious consideration if the potential of streaming technology is to be harnessed for more effective learning opportunities for students. 'Streaming' is a way of transmitting video (or other media files) across the Internet (or by similar means). It is an alternative to downloaded delivery of these media and viewers do not have lengthy 'download waits'. A more comprehensive definition is provided elsewhere (Brown, 2002). The term used here to describe the processes involved in enabling a video recording, made for delivery via videocassette recorder (VCR), to be transmitted across the Internet is 're-purposing'. One process within this broad remit is that of making specific changes to the content of the video recording. This is referred to as 're-engineering'. The authors all have a strong commitment to the use of video in HE and have actively participated in the re-purposing reported here. They feel that since the Joint Information

DOI:10.1080/0968776030110203