Videoconferencing | Educause 2013 News

Auburn U Pharmacy School Uses Video Collaboration for Distance Learning

• By Leila Meyer
• 10/17/13

Auburn University's Harrison School of Pharmacy has implemented a video collaboration solution to enable distance learning and lecture capture, as well as remote pharmacy services for underserved areas.

Auburn's School of Pharmacy has 147 video-enabled locations. The video collaboration technology lets instructors teach live, synchronous classes between the main campus in Auburn, AL and satellite campus in Mobile. Clinical faculty in satellite locations throughout Alabama and in Columbus, GA, also use the technology to teach students at both campuses. Professors can also use lecture capture technology to record lectures directly from their desktop and make it available online for students who have to miss class or just need to review material at their own pace.

The university's video collaboration solution includes Polycom RealPresence Collaboration Server 2000, Polycom CMA 5000, Polycom Video Content Management Solutions, and Polycom RealPresence Media Manager.

In addition to distance learning, Auburn's pharmacy program uses its video collaboration tools to provide pharmacy services for patients in underserved areas. The university's TelePharmacy service enables fourth-year pharmacy students to provide point-of-care services to people otherwise might not be able to visit a pharmacist. Patients can use Polycom RealPresence Mobile on an iPad or tablet, or Polycom RealPresence Desktop on a laptop or computer to interact with the pharmacy student, and the student can then use the technology to consult with instructors and practicing faculty members.

Auburn University is also using the video collaboration technology to provide practicing pharmacists with continuing education opportunities and to bring in presenters from remote locations.

Further information about Polycom RealPresence video collaboration solutions can be found at polycom.com.