Recording of Class Lectures by Students

[D.Larry]

Hello All,

Was hoping to get some feedback. I currently teach Fundamentals at my school and as a practice I do not allow recording of lectures. Previously I had allowed recording, however I noticed that more times than not, those who recorded the class tended to "check out" in terms of engaging with the content of lecture. One student actually turned on their recorder then sat down, crossed their arms, and just proceeded to stare for a good portion of the lecture.

I understand that learners engage with information in a variety of ways and that some students, especially auditory learners, might find it more challenging if they are unable to record. Acknowledging this, at the start of the semester I do explain my policy of not allowing recording but do state that if a student feels strongly that being unable to record might hinder their learning, that they are allowed to speak to my privately to work out a solution. So far, no one has stepped forward to ask about recording and no one has complained (either publicly or via anonymous faculty eval).

One of my colleagues disagrees and called me out during a meeting saying that if my students are "checked out" then I must not be engaging them enough. She says the literature "clearly supports" that students who record their classes tend to do better.

Would any of you have any advice, experience, or even research to support or refute the practice of recording.

Thank you for any advice you could give!

D.L.

[caliotter3]

I recorded lectures and was adequately engaged. It had nothing to do with presentation. Now, in many schools it is not allowed unless under the purview of the students with disabilities office. I think this does a disservice to the students who could benefit without causing problems.

[D.Larry]

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your feedback.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

This is going to show my age, but it reminds me of the '80s movie "Real Genius" where the student is in a large lecture hall full of students and professor lecturing. The next scene he enters the room with several students missing with tape recorders on their desks. The next scene he is the only student in the room with tape recorders on everybody else's desk being lectured by the professor. The final scene is him in the class full of tape recorders recording a lecture from the professor's tape recorder on top of the professor's desk..

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

This is going to show my age, but it reminds me of the '80s movie "Real Genius" where the student is in a large lecture hall full of students and professor lecturing. The next scene he enters the room with several students missing with tape recorders on their desks. The next scene he is the only student in the room with tape recorders on everybody else's desk being lectured by the professor. The final scene is him in the class full of tape recorders recording a lecture from the professor's tape recorder on top of the professor's desk..

I thought of the same thing!! I made my (younger than me) husband watch Real Genius a couple of months ago, it was hilarious.

[lifeisgood516]

Our school's policy is to allow tape recording for students with a documented learning disability. In my experience, I have had only a handful of students record, and I have not seen in issue with their engagement in class.

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

My school not only allowed the recording of lectures, but actively encouraged it. An hour after lecture, the recording was made available for download. I'd review my notes and reading, and if necessary I'd listen again to the lecture. It could not have been more convenient.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I feel differently about students recording lectures themselves ... and me (or the school) recording the lecture and then making it available. If the school (or I) record a lecture and make it available, then I can guaranteed that the recording has not been altered in any way. I have done online lectures broadcast by the school. That didn't bother me as the entire class was recorded and those recordings were maintained by the school. But am less comfortable with the thought that a student might alter a recording they made themselves and then claim I said (or didn't say) something -- or take something out of context and claim I said outrageous things, etc. I prefer to have a copy of the full class available to provide the context for anything I might say should I later be accused of something.

[caliotter3]

Most students have a different agenda than to attend class with the thought of interfering with the career of an instructor. For that one in a thousand, they are going to find a way no matter what steps the instructor takes to protect themselves.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Most students have a different agenda than to attend class with the thought of interfering with the career of an instructor. For that one in a thousand, they are going to find a way no matter what steps the instructor takes to protect themselves.

They may not plan to hurt the instructor ahead of time ... but if something sets them off, and they can cause trouble with their homemade recording, they might do it when stressed to their coping limits.

[lifeisgood516]

We have an interesting issue with this right now. A student has been recording a faculty member to prove that her lectures contradict the book and exams. I've also had a similar issue within the past year. A student with accommodations was recording and giving it to two students who regularly missed classes. I like the idea of recording lectures and posting for all students. I have done this with fluids and electrolytes in the past, and it's seemed to help all students.

[organichombre, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

It's been a while since I was in school but I recorded lectures once when my writing hand was injured and then later on for patho. Students learn how they learn and I think it is a disservice to not allow recording. I'm sure that your teaching is multifaceted judging by your post and some students are just not all that interested in anything but the essential facts.