Courses via videoconference will soon be streaming into Powell River’s Vancouver Island University (VIU) campus through a program called LifeSize. Starting with a partnership with North Island college, students in Powell River will be able to take courses that have previously not been available here.
Campus Principal, Arlette Raaen, is pleased with the new technology. “Students who want to work on degrees in areas beyond the first year arts were not able to do so before. We invite people to talk to VIU about the courses they are interested in.”
In the past, if only small numbers of students wanted a course, small campuses could not accommodate them. This new technology will be able to pool the resources.
People who have taken videoconferencing courses in the past might not have fond memories of the frustrations that often came with the technology. Small screens and interrupted signals often turned off many.
Jody Patterson, computer technician for VIU Powell River campus said, “This is nothing like the old stuff. It’s high definition. The interaction feels live. With no lag time and quality audio and video, students will be impressed. We have worked to increase the bandwidth to accommodate this technology.”
With funding in place, LifeSize will be piloted during the spring and Powell River will be ready as a receiving site for students to take courses in the fall.
“We are excited to increase the courses available for people in our community. We look forward to working with students to get the kinds of courses they want and still live in Powell River,” said Raaen.
Interested readers can contact VIU at 604.485.2878.
