Recording Classes: Guidelines for Instructors
Last updated: 17 September 2021
Am I encouraged to consider recording my classes?
Yes. Recording classes can offer many pedagogical benefits, and all instructors are encouraged to consider whether and how recording could play a role in their teaching. The sections that follow offer more information to help faculty make this decision.
Am I required to record my classes?
No. It is up to the individual instructor whether or not to record classes, and the University recognizes that instructors themselves are best positioned to decide what approach is most appropriate for their classes.
Why might I want to record my classes?
During the pandemic, many students found that access to lecture recordings helped them learn. The recordings allowed them to re-watch sections that they had initially found confusing or review portions of the lecture along with their notes, enabling them to better integrate new information into their existing knowledge. In this way, recording your classes is one approach to creating a more inclusive environment, where students who need more reflection or processing time can learn as readily as those who need less. Additionally, recording classes on a regular basis provides a high-quality course record for students who have accommodations through AccessibleNU that allow for notetaking or recording of classes.
How can I record an in-person class?
For courses in a classroom that is equipped with lecture capture equipment, please request that the recording take place by filling in the lecture capture request form Links to an external site.. For courses conducted using Zoom, please see the guide to recording using Zoom.
68 general purpose classrooms and a number of departmental classrooms are equipped with lecture capture technology. You can find information on classroom set-up and technology here. To find out which classrooms are equipped with recording capabilities search the "Classroom Features" for "Lecture Capture."
To request that some or all of your classes scheduled in general purpose classrooms be scheduled to record automatically, fill out the lecture capture request form Links to an external site..
The AV Support phone number (7-ROOM) and email address (smartcls@northwestern.edu) are posted in rooms supported by Northwestern IT. For an introduction to the AV capabilities in a general purpose classroom, please fill out this orientation request form Links to an external site..
For school-based classrooms, please check with your school IT support team.
Will students come to class if I make recordings available?
Ideally, students will understand that recordings are a supplement to the classroom experience. Building opportunities for engagement (e.g., Q&A periods, polls, pair activities, or other active learning techniques) into lectures can help students feel actively connected to classroom activities. Explaining to students why you want them to be physically in class (e.g., you want to hear their questions, being present helps create a classroom community, etc.), in tandem with attendance requirements and participation guidelines, can enhance students’ motivation to attend.
Is my class recording protected as my intellectual property?
Under the University’s Copyright Policy, faculty own the copyright to instructional materials — including those resources created specifically for the purposes of instruction, such as syllabi, lectures and lecture notes, and presentations. Students cannot copy, reproduce, display, or distribute these materials. Students who engage in unauthorized recording, unauthorized use of a recording, or unauthorized distribution of instructional materials will be referred to the appropriate University office for follow-up. Please see the Policy on Class Recordings for more information.
How do I ensure the recordings don’t get widely distributed online?
Recordings using the video capture and management tool Panopto can be set so they are viewable only by students with access to your course in Canvas. You have the option to set dates and times for when recordings will be available if you only want them to be viewable for a given period of time. Also keep in mind that you can record your classes in Panopto without publishing them on Canvas, releasing them only to students with accommodations or students who have made arrangements with you to view recordings. Recordings in Panopto can be set so that viewers cannot download the recordings.
How can I protect student privacy, and my own privacy, if I am recording a class?
In situations where personal disclosures might surface during a class discussion, or where recording might make students more hesitant to participate in discussion, you can choose not to record that section of the class.
Do I need to make an announcement if I am recording the class?
Yes. If you plan to record class session(s), you should communicate this to the students both in class and by including this information in the syllabus. Please see the Policy on Class Recordings for suggested language.
Are students allowed to record my class?
Unauthorized student recording is prohibited. Faculty should not grant individual requests for students to record class sessions. Students requesting the use of assistive technology as an accommodation should direct such requests to AccessibleNU.
What about students who have disability-related accommodations for recordings?
You will be notified by AccessibleNU of a registered student’s eligibility to record class lecture as a reasonable accommodation related to their disability. In these situations, students will be provided with the tools to make an audio recording for their personal use, and are instructed not to share those recordings with others. Students sign a fair-use agreement provided by AccessibleNU that governs their use of the recordings. Please contact the AccessibleNU staff with questions about accommodations.
More information
For a consultation on setting up recordings in Panopto or Zoom, please contact consultant@northwestern.edu.
For information related to student accommodations, contact AccessibleNU.