Exploring the Role of Video Pod Usage in Online Sessions

• Project Team: Sinead EcclesKaren Twiselton
• Subject Discipline: Psychology and Counselling
• Theme: Online and blended tuition
• Project Aim: Enables more students to achieve their study goalsImproves and enhance the learning experience of students
• Status: Complete
• Date: July 2022 to November 2023

This two-stage project is aimed at mapping a period of change within the Open University (OU) where Associate Lecturers (ALs) are encouraged to activate their camera (or video-pod) whilst delivering online tutorials.

With Internet access and bandwidth improving around the world, combined with a global pandemic, an increasing number of institutions, private teachers and learners are using cameras to connect with students as part of online programmes. However, many important questions about the impact of camera usage, remain unanswered. While there have been studies of webcams in some educational contexts, investigations of teaching practices are still scarce. Specifically, it is unclear what attitudes tutors and learners hold towards webcams and how practices may influence the students learning experience.

Initial review of camera use in tutorials in Psychology & Counselling modules at the Open University indicates that there has been little to no uptake of camera use. This is being addressed by an upcoming intervention which will implement new default layouts within the online teaching space provided in Adobe Connect, the online learning platform used at the Open University.

The current project therefore explores tutor attitudes towards camera use prior to the implementation of the new approach and one year following implementation to assess uptake and attitudes of staff involved. Similarly, a student survey will also be administered to gauge student perspectives on the value of being able to see their tutors during online tutorial events, including how this may influence students sense of belonging to a learning community.