16–20 Aug 2021
University of Glasgow (virtual)
Europe/London timezone

Use of ManyCam in delivering high quality remote laboratory demonstration

Not scheduled
20m
University of Glasgow (virtual)

University of Glasgow (virtual)

Poster only Poster session

Speakers

Ms Charlotte Farrow (University of Birmingham)Ms Isobel Barker (University of Birmingham)

Description

In intensive undergraduate courses marred by Covid-19 the use of technology can aid delivery of effective laboratory demonstrations. Finding innovative ways to deliver laboratory content to a student cohort relying on remote access was a challenge and at the University of Birmingham we employed the use of ManyCam. ManyCam software can be used live in streaming platforms such as Zoom to allow multiple-angle viewpoints of fume cupboards for demonstrations of lab procedures.

The design of our Collaborative Teaching Laboratory’s wet lab (opened 2018) ensured every student had a multi-screen computer opposite their fume cupboard – allowing easy delivery of such demonstrations over a networking software such as Zoom whilst still accounting for safe social distancing. By having multiple cameras available our demonstrators were able to highlight key set ups and still talk directly to a camera – creating an early personalised connection with the student body. Overall, the implementation of ManyCam has been very successful and its use will be continued in future years, allowing us to upgrade our demonstrating potential to allow for more detailed briefings clearly observable by all.

Our poster demonstrates the use of ManyCam in conjunction with Zoom to deliver live labcasts during lockdown months to aid students in their understanding of coursework and the use of such software to improve lab demonstrations to students as course practicals were allowed to restart.

Key words Remote, Virtual, Demonstrating, Laboratory, Camera
Region UK/Ireland

Primary authors

Ms Charlotte Farrow (University of Birmingham) Ms Isobel Barker (University of Birmingham) Mr Edwin Kyi (University of Birmingham) Dr Sedef Karabiyikoglu (University of Birmingham) Dr Robert Laverick (University of Birmingham) Dr Philip Craven (University of Birmingham) Dr Adrian Wright (University of Birmingham)

Presentation materials