Distance Learning Studios - FAQ

The primary delivery method for distance course is via the internet (downloading/streaming). To successfully stream or download, your computer, browser and internet connection need to meet certain minimum requirements. 

For quality viewing experiences it is suggested to use a broadband internet connection. The quality of your experience will depend on available internet bandwidth and hardware you’re using to download or stream videos. Outgoing TCP Ports 80 and 443 to cu-classcapture.colorado.edu.

There are many factors that influence your video streaming quality, including your choice of Internet Service Provider (ISP). Using a Speed Test, you can test your internet connection bandwidth. For quality experiences with streaming it is suggested that you have at least a 1000 kbps (1 Mbps) broadband internet connection download speed or above.

Additionally, as a preview of your viewing experience please play the Example Class recording

The vendor provides an in-browser check which can provide helpful information in regards to the technical requirements outlined below.

Windows

• Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista
• Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or later (IE8 or later required if using the Mediasite 7 multiview player), Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome
• Windows Media Player 9.0 or later (IE only)
• Adobe Flash for Smooth Streaming playback in Chrome (Mediasite 7.0.23 and later); Microsoft Silverlight 5 for Smooth Streaming playback in all other browsers
• Broadband Internet connection

Mac

• Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later
• Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome
• Microsoft Silverlight 5.0 or later (viewers are prompted to install this when attempting to view a presentation)
• Broadband Internet connection

Mobile Platforms

For Mobile platforms please consult with the official Mobile documentation for more information. For a quality viewing experience OIT recommends that you view streaming or exported content on a desktop or laptop computer with a wired internet connection. Based on the limitations of mobile technology, we will provide mobile technical support on a case-by-case basis.

Linux

Linux platforms are supported in a limited capacity. Currently only on-demand playback is supported, and installation of additional software or codecs may be necessary. Please consult with official Linux documentation for more details. We will provide Linux technical support on a case-by-case basis.

All students registered for a distance course will automatically be given access to online course lectures. Access to the course lecture portal is available the first day of the semester. Recorded lectures are uploaded to the portal within 24 hours after the lecture has been taught on main campus. Access to Library Courses that have been recorded in previous semesters will be available the week the semester begins. Please note that only the lectures for the first 2/3 of the course are posted/available at the start of the term. The last 1/3 will be ready to view by mid term. Access to the course lectures is only available until the end of the semester for which you are registered. Students will receive directions on how to download the current semester's lectures so they can view them beyond the end of the semester. 

Most instructors use the Canvas course management tools. These tools contains course materials, asynchronous discussion, assignments, a grade book, course calendar and other features utilized by the instructors. There are no additional fees to access these tools. Contact your instructor to determine which course management tool he/she uses if not stated in the course syllabus. For more information please consult the Canvas service page.

All courses offer the ability to participate from a distance with in-class lectures via Zoom. This information will be noted in the course page, or students who wish to participate can ask their instructors for the Zoom ID. For more information please consult with the Zoom at CU Boulder page.

Students registered for a distance course

Students who are registered for a distance course through the Graduate School will automatically have access to view their course lectures via the Internet (streaming/downloading). If you have need of a physical disk for course video delivery, please contact us and we will work with you on an individual basis.

Individuals not registered for a distance course

If you are a main campus student and you are registered for a course that is being recorded and offered for distance students, you will have access to the recorded lectures that distance students receive. However, in some courses, instructors deny this access for main campus students. This decision is up to the instructor's discretion and is not the Graduate School's decision.

Individuals who are not registered for a distance or a main campus course that is being recorded, but would like to gain access to the course, may do so for a fee. Visit the Pricing & Order Information page for access rates. 

Students previously registered for a distance course

If you are finishing an incomplete grade for a distance course from a previous semester and need access to the recorded lectures for that course, send us an email at cugrad@colorado.edu. Provide the following information: full name, course number, course title, semester you took the course and reason for access (completing an incomplete grade). Access permitted is only for the course that was recorded for the semester for which the student was enrolled in the course. If access is needed for another semester the course was recorded or is being recorded, permission from the instructor is needed. Email us the permission from the instructor.

If you are requesting access because you lost your recordings or do not have them downloaded to your computer after the semester ended, the access fee applies.

Press the refresh button on your browser, if they still do not appear, email us at oithelp@colorado.edu.

You must click the title of the lecture to view the full content. After that you may control which of the videos is primary (largest) by clicking the swap icon found in the top right of one of the playback areas. 

OIT's Learning Spaces Technology team offers support for instructors wishing to capture and distribute lectures to students. Features include synchronous student participation, operator controlled lecture capture, make-up or pre-recordings of lectures and more. To learn more, visit the Distance Learning Studios page or contact the IT Service Center at 303-735-4357 (5-HELP from any campus phone) or oithelp@colorado.edu.

Typically within 24 hours depending on the length of the course. Downloadable content may take more time to process.

Access to the recorded course lecture is through Canvas and is available the first day of classes until Canvas access closes, usually three weeks after the last day of final exams. Main campus lectures are recorded live and made available to students to view through streaming within four hours after recording (with the exception of a few courses).

If you would like to keep the recorded course lectures, be sure to download the video recordings to your computer by the last day of final exams for the semester. A fee will be charged for access to the recorded lectures after the semester ends. Please refer to the following rate information page.

Preparing Your Computer for Online Lecture Viewing

For an introduction to the lecture capture tool, Mediasite, review the tutorials below:

• Mediasite Player Navigation
• Download and Play Mediasite Lecture Recordings
• Canvas Integration of Mediasite

For technical assistance, please email oithelp@colorado.edu or call 303-735-4357 (5-HELP).

Access Instructions

View the Mediasite tutorials above for detailed information about how to access online course lectures. A different set of instructions will be emailed to students who are enrolled in library courses.