University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne law professor Bruno Dondero has been broadcasting his corporate law MOOCs on Facebook using just a tripod, a smartphone and a Facebook account. Provided he doesn't make more movements than the phone's camera can capture, students can now follow along with Dondero's lectures from the comfort of their own homes.
From Notes to Knowledge
For the author of "Droit 2.0", a French-language book on practicing law in the 21st century, professors don't have to be tech geeks to use digital tools to their advantage. He explains, "Videos of lectures... have become essential for students." Law students can watch the lecture as often as they need to in order to fill in any gaps in their notes or their comprehension of the material.
While Dondero is the only one of his colleagues to stream his courses, Paris 1 is enthusiastic. Head of digital communications Guillaume Simiand says, "We are always looking for new ways to improve the student experience and to spread knowledge, which is one of the university's finest goals."
Constant Comment
According to Dondero, the videos offer many advantages. For example, the comments section allows for online discussions. He notes, "I've had people ask questions and make comments on Facebook who aren't law students. Some of them are practicing lawyers. Their input enriches the conversation."
The Facebook videos also help with crowding in the auditorium. The professor explains, "It would be going a bit far to say the auditorium is so packed that it's become inaccessible. That said, this system allows students to catch up on any lectures they've missed." Students who are nervous about finding a place to sit now have the option of attending from home.
Whatever the reason, Dondero's MOOCs have been a huge success. His first Facebook video received 25,000 views. The others have all reached 1,000 views within the first hour of their posting.
