Doshisha University Case Study
Panopto contributes to a new style of learning with the revision of the academic calendar.
From the 2024 academic year, Doshisha University introduced a new academic calendar, starting to offer a new learning style that combines face-to-face and on-demand classes. One of the biggest changes is that students can now check classes in advance before registering for them. During the first week of the semester, students can freely watch on-demand classes on subjects they are interested in, and register for classes after actually understanding the content of the classes. After registering for a course, students will attend 13 face-to-face classes and finally take an on-demand class again. By taking on-demand classes to summarize learning content and review final exams, students can deepen their understanding of the content and check their proficiency.
Challenge: Management becomes complicated due to the mixed operation of various video distribution services.
Doshisha University had been using a video distribution system for on-demand classes for some time, but they felt it was difficult to use due to poor image quality, difficulty in viewing, and insufficient storage capacity. In addition, since the system at the time did not have a recording function, and system administrators were in charge of uploading and publishing work, it placed a heavy workload on both faculty and administrators. Furthermore, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, on-demand classes surged, and faculty members began to use general distribution services to publish videos individually, leading to various problems such as complicated management of lecture videos, which are university assets.
Reasons for implementation: Common platform that can be used for classes and administrative work by staff.
They started planning to introduce a new system because they needed a platform that could improve image quality and address capacity shortages, as well as allow teachers to carry out tasks from recording to distribution themselves. In addition, Doshisha University had a need for distribution among staff, such as training videos, so Panopto’s ability to carry out these tasks on the same platform while maintaining high security was attractive. As a result of their consideration, in September 2022, they signed a contract for Panopto with 30,000 people, including all 28,000 students and faculty members. When students watch lecture videos, they use Panopto with a single sign-on to the LMS via LTI integration, and for training videos, etc., they use it via Web SSO, making it possible to limit distribution to specific users and those within the university.
Effects after deployment: Used not only for classes but also for distributing explanatory videos to new students.
Eiji Yamakita, Section Manager of the Information Support Section, Information Systems Division, Information Technology Department, Doshisha University, talks about how it has been used since its implementation.
“After the introduction of Panopto, not only has the distribution of lecture videos become smoother, but we have also been able to provide information on faculty curriculums, how to use the library, and explanatory meetings for teacher training courses through videos to new students who do not yet understand the flow of university life. I feel that this has been a major effect.
In addition, when explaining to faculty how to record and distribute using Panopto, we were able to smoothly introduce Panopto by uploading an explanatory video in a location that is immediately visible after logging in (see Screen 1). We have set up a contact point for inquiries, but I think the number of inquiries was much lower than expected, probably because Panopto’s interface was easy to understand.”
“Panopto has become a tool that changes the way we learn at this university.”
Eiji Yamakita, Information Support Section, Information Systems Division, Information Technology Department, Doshisha University
With the revision of the academic calendar, we have started new uses for on-demand classes.
In the new academic calendar that started in the 2024 academic year, two classes will be held on-demand: the first class that students take before registering for courses, and the last class of the courses they register for. Mr. Yamakita says that this is an initiative that was realized precisely because Panopto allows flexible use.
“The first week of classes needed to be viewable by all students in order to decide which courses to take, while the last week needed to grant viewing rights only to those who registered for the course. Of course, Panopto can handle both. In the first week, we had students access the video from the URL posted on the syllabus via Web SSO, and in the final week, we had them watch it via LMS, so we were able to smoothly implement both operations. In this way, the fact that Panopto can handle distribution with different viewing permissions is a great help to administrators.”
Caption function to provide open learning.
Mr. Yamakita says that Panopto is also effective from an accessibility perspective.
“Panopto has a captioning function that converts lecture audio into subtitles, so we were able to provide a solid learning environment for students with hearing impairments, which was a big point that we were glad we introduced it. Although minor text corrections are sometimes necessary, the transcription function is very accurate, so we can add captions smoothly without any hassle.”
Increased use of Panopto contributes to improved teaching quality.
Finally, Mr. Yamakita summarizes the effects of implementing Panopto.
“Although the university only recommends lecture recording with Panopto and also allows recording with web conferencing tools, the majority of teachers use Panopto because it is easy to use. Looking at the statistics of the video time created, it increased from 3,800 hours in half a year to 10,300 hours, showing that more and more teachers are realizing the benefits of Panopto and its use is spreading year after year. In particular, recently, there has been an increase in the number of teachers who use a filming studio to record videos in an effort to provide better classes, and who are reviewing the classes themselves. I feel that Panopto is a tool that not only provides learning effects for students, but also provides great awareness to the teachers who conduct the classes.”
About Doshisha University:
Doshisha University was founded in 1875 as the predecessor of Doshisha English School, based on the educational philosophy of Christianity, liberalism, and internationalism. The university has the Imadegawa campus, where humanities faculties and graduate schools gather, and the Kyotanabe campus, where science faculties and graduate schools gather, in Kyoto Prefecture, with approximately 28,000 students studying. The university is approaching its 150th anniversary in 2025 and is undertaking new reforms aimed at improving education, research, and campus life called “VISION 2025.”
*Images and logos are provided by Doshisha University.
