Professor Sells Lectures Online
September 14, 2006 | 8 Comments
North Carolina State University professor Robert Schrag is charging $2.50 for audio copies of his lectures.
From Kelley Brackett of the Technician Online:
The professor in the Department of Communication sent his students an e-mail Sept. 7 notifying them that lectures from their 75-minute communication and technology class were available online for $2.50 each. The Web site allows students to “buy now” and hear the lecture, in an MP3 format, as often as they like.
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According to Schrag, he wants to serve three “markets.” The first is comprised of students who question their ability to take quality notes in the classroom. Students that are interested in doing well in the class can, therefore, use the online lectures as a study tool in preparation for tests.
Schrag said he is also concerned about the increasing number of international students on campus. The second market is for these students who may have difficulty understanding lectures from an English-speaking professor and would prefer to review lectures at a slower pace.
The third market, he said, is for students who prefer not to attend class.
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“Your tuition buys you access to the lectures in the classroom. If you want to hear one again, you can buy it.”
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“Obviously all the students can get the lectures for free by coming to class,” Schrag said. “I guess you could see the service as a safety net designed to help the students get the content when life gets in the way of their getting to class.”
A fourth market he could be serving is people who do not even attend the university or students who are interested in his lectures, but do not have time or opportunity to take the class. Consider this the “long tail” of potential students. I think this is a fantastic use of media and the price seems appropriate and right.
Tags: college, communications, Kelley Brackett, lecture, long tail, ncsu, North Carolina State University, professor, technician, technician online