The Box of Broadcasts (BoB) system was launched at the University of Surrey in April 2009. The system is designed to facilitate the easy integration of online time-based media (video and audio) into teaching and learning.

The image above shows the BoB homepage (click to enlarge)

BoB is a system developed by Cambridge Imaging Systems, who have worked closely with CEAD to provide bespoke custom functionality for the university’s system.

Access the system at http://bob.surrey.ac.uk

The system provides the following functionality:

• Streamed playback via high quality h.264/AAC Flash
• Quality toggling option
• Searchable repository of recordings
• Personalised ‘My BoB’ page to contain a user’s playlists
• Switchable subtitles
• Full-screen viewing
• User rating of recordings

Staff have access to the following additional functionality:

• Online Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) for Freeview television and radio
• Schedule recordings from EPG
• Schedule recordings from a wide range of overseas ‘Free-to-air’ satellite channels
• Create clips from recordings
• Create custom playlists of recordings and/or clips
• Use automatically generated embed code to embed the media player into ULearn, PebblePad, email, PowerPoint or web pages
• Host University of Surrey owned or licensed material for public viewing
• Upload local content (restricted functionality, please contact e-learning@surrey.ac.uk to request access)
• Ability to restrict uploaded content to specific user groups
• Ability to make uploaded content available for download
• Podcast hosting functionality including RSS subscription

Ideas for use in learning:

• Embed clips or entire recordings into Ulearn as resources
• Design an online or face-to-face discussion learning activity around a recording as a case study
• Integrate clips of expert speakers into online materials or lecture materials to reinforce understanding
• Show environments and contexts that are not directly accessible to students
• Embed clips into Ulearn assessment questions
• Build activities around current news or world affairs issues
• Put students in groups to critique the presentation of an issue in the media
• ……plus all your ideas!

Finding out more

For support materials, FAQs and details of workshops about BoB then please visit our BoB Support Page. If you are currently using BoB in your teaching or are considering its use, CEAD can provide a range of support, consultancy and resources to aid you.  Please contact us at e-learning@surrey.ac.uk