HASCS Puts Class Videos on the Web

Making up missed lectures will be easier than ever this semester, as Harvard Arts and Sciences Computer Services (HASCS) has made videos from 20 courses available on-line.

Despite the numbers of lectures available, there have been no problems in accessing them quickly and easily.

"The potential for problems is large," said Franklin M. Steen, director of Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) computer services. Still, since students can only watch one lecture at a time, the maximum access is limited.

Some course heads have elected to make the videos available only during certain time frames, like before exams or during reading period, because of a concern that attendance will fall, but no statistics are available to support this concern.

Steen said he expects that next semester at least 20 courses will request that this service be made available for their lectures.

--Shira H. Fischer