Izmir University of Economics is ready for ‘Distance Education’
Izmir University of Economics (IUE), which carries out education with Learning Management System – LMS, a system being used by a limited number of universities nationwide, completed its preparations to offer classes online to its almost 10 bin students. IUE students will continue to receive online education in line with the decisions taken to prevent the coronavirus outbreak. Students will be able to attend live classes and have access to recorded lectures as well as all course materials whenever they want. They will be able to communicate with their lecturers and classmates in interactive platforms such as forums and discussion boards.
IUE Rector Prof. Murat Aşkar stated that they adopted the technology supported education model, the “Smart Campus”, within the framework of the University’s “Excellence in Education” strategic goal. Prof. Aşkar pointed that the University offers “Learning Management” (Blackboard Learn), “Live Distance Education” (Blackboard Collaborate) and “Course Video Recording” (Panopto Lecture Capture) systems to the access of its students and lecturers to that end.
“SYSTEM CAN BE ACCESSED ANYWHERE”
Prof. Aşkar said that Blackboard Learning Management System allows faculty members to communicate with their students online. They can share course materials such as presentations, textbooks with students, and design exams and homework. Blackboard Learning Management System allows students to have access to course materials for the classes they are enrolled in at any time of the day via any medium with an internet connection. They can also communicate with their lecturers and classmates in interactive platforms such as forums, and discussion boards. In addition to Blackboard Learn, Blackboard Collaborate is available for distance education programs at IUE. Blackboard Collaborate is the virtual classroom (or web conferencing) tool which enables voice, video and text interaction between students and lecturers. Lecturers were able to conduct interactive classes such as graduate programs that have license for distance education, and ‘Turkish Language’ and ‘Ataturk Principles and History of Revolution’ courses. Now they will be experiencing this for other courses as well. Lecturers, too, can log in to the system where they want and teach these courses.”
“COURSES ARE BEING ARCHIEVED”
Prof. Aşkar stated the following: “Panopto Lecture Capture is a video platform that provides integrated (with Learning Management System) video recording, screen casting, video streaming, and video content management software. Panopto allows instructors to record audio, video and their computer screen (PowerPoint or any software application) directly from their desktop. It also includes a video search engine that makes it possible to search inside videos for words mentioned by the presenter or shown on their slides. When they wish to review those subjects that they haven’t fully understood in class, students will be able to locate those parts in the recordings using the software’s search engine and watch them again. In the event of a possible internet connection problem during a live class, these classes are being recorded offline, and when there is strong internet connection, they are being uploaded in the system so students can access them.”