YouSeeU, a new video-based classroom and assignment tool, became available at Bradley this fall. The technology is integrated into Sakai and enables video-based learning activities and live meetings online.
YouSeeU enables students to create video presentations and hold video conversations, according to Director of Instructional Design and Learning Technologies Barbara Kerns. Professors can also give video-based feedback, and students can watch other students’ videos and offer peer review.
“One activity that’s interesting and really changes the realm of online learning is called ‘Question and Answer’,” Kerns said. “The activity provides a way to emulate in-class spontaneous response. The faculty member poses a question to you and gives you so many seconds to respond, and then the system turns on your camera and records your response.”
One online nursing course had used YouSeeU to enable students to demonstrate their suturing skills by having them video record themselves performing the suturing assignment, according to Kerns.
YouSeeU is currently in an extended pilot phase and used by a small group of professors. It will be more broadly released next semester.
“This is a way to differentiate Bradley in the online learning sphere,” Kerns said. “We want to give students a fuller communication network with each other and the faculty members. We’re trying to go beyond text based conversations and allow students to interact with voice and video.”
Graduate assistant William Cain said it’s very advantageous for students to use newly developed technology in their classes because it will be important in their future careers.
“The YouSeeU system allows students to feel more engaged in online classes,” Cain said. “Having a video talk with someone is a lot more personal than having a text-based talk. It helps to kind of bridge the gap between totally online classes and in-person classes. It’s a great way for students in online classes to get to know one another and build a sense of community.”
Professors interested in learning more about YouSeeU can contact the instructional design and learning technologies unit by e-mailing sakai@fsmail.bradley.edu.
