To take the most advantages of the compressed video class, students must overcome the technological novelty as soon as possible in order to fully interact with the instructor as if she were physically in the same room. Backup An instructional method that relies so much on technology does run a very high risk of having equipment breakdown on any one of the lecturing sites. Furthermore, the weather in Kentucky is such that there is always the possibility when a snow or ice storm forces cancellation of class at one remote site while weather on the other sites is perfectly fine. According to the UK Distance Learning Program Office, the standard backup procedure for compressed video class is to use videotapes. When the class at a remote site is not held, a videotape will be made at the broadcasting site and sent to the coordinator of the remote site.
Students can then check out the videotape for viewing at their convenience.
Although there is some time delay in this backup procedure, it does ensure that students receive both audio and visual signals just as in a normal compressed video class session. The UK Distance Learning Program Office is currently planning to implement an audio conference backup system, which will allow instant broadcasting of audio portion of the lecture through speaker phones when the compressed video system breaks down. While the audio conference backup eliminates the need for students affected by the breakdown to make extra trip to the compressed video site, the drawback is that it does not provide any visual aids which may be essential in many courses. Although I felt this course was a lot of work and hard, I also feel it was well worth the time for the knowledge I obtained. Relates the subject to broad concepts.