Virginia Tech has selected Zoom and Kaltura as the university’s primary platforms for interactive video, lecture capture, and video content management. These cloud-based tools offer intuitive setup, automated central storage for video assets, mobile compatibility, flexibility for large and small courses, and robust analytics, plus easy integration with other Virginia Tech tools like Canvas, Google Apps, and Office365.

“With our contracts for existing tools expiring in June, it was the right time for us to evaluate our video management systems,” said Ken McCrery, deputy executive director of Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS). “We are confident Zoom and Kaltura will offer the university community state-of-the-art instructional video and conferencing options that enrich teaching, learning, and collaboration.”

The contract decisions come after a formal procurement process. Before requesting bids, TLOS, a unit of the Division of Information Technology, led an 18-month evaluation of video options during which they reviewed other institutions' video tools, evaluated available video conferencing and management services, and gathered input from faculty, staff, and senior leaders. In fall 2017, several members of the university community participated in a pilot program to test functionality in the classroom and traditional video conference settings.

“The TLOS mission is to provide tools that help with instruction, to support learning experience design, and to promote digital fluency," said Dale Pike, executive director of TLOS. "We are confident that Zoom and Kaltura will enhance the efforts of our faculty as they continue to deliver world-class instruction at Virginia Tech.”

The new tools will go live just before Summer Session 1 begins on May 21. All video content stored in either WebEx or Echo360 will be converted and moved to Kaltura by the video for instruction program implementation team. Support for WebEx and Echo360 will end on June 15.

“This change provides an improved experience for existing users of these tools,” said Scott Midkiff, vice president for IT and CIO. “And, what is particularly exciting, is that Zoom and Kaltura provide a highly functional and scalable technical foundation that allows for expanding delivery to devices for distance learning students and hybrid course delivery for residential students.”

For complete details on Zoom and Kaltura implementation, visit the project website. A range of educational opportunities, tutorials, and support services will be made available over the coming months.

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