Alden Library Has New Video and Audio Studio

University Libraries, in a collaborative partnership with the Office of Information Technology (OIT), now offers professional-quality video and audio recordings with just a push of a button. Available to faculty, staff and students affiliated with Ohio University, the One Button Studio gives users access to a video recorder, microphones, lighting and a green screen—without having to know anything about lights and cameras.

“You only need to reserve the room, bring your flash drive, and push a single button to have access to studio lighting and audio and video recording.” explained Dr. Kelly Broughton, assistant dean for research and education services at University Libraries.   

Developed by Penn State University and available through open source to the higher education community, OIT installed and setup the One Button Studio in room 215 Alden Library, primarily as an instructor and student support service for users who need those advanced technologies—but do not have the time to develop the expertise.

“A one-button studio has been on the Libraries’ ‘wish list’ for a couple years. But when Covid hit, and we flipped to delivering most of our instruction remotely, the need became glaring,” said Broughton. “We really wished we had it [the studio] to support instructors who were dropped into the deep-end of online teaching and learning.” 

Knowing that this technology could help OHIO instructors to record their lectures for remote online classes—as well as benefit the student population, the concept was approved by the Executive Vice President and Provost and funded through the CARES Act.

“We often see in Alden Library [students] reserving group study rooms and practicing their group presentations together. This would be another tool that they could use,” said Broughton. “They could use the One Button Studio, record themselves delivering their presentations and critique… either together or at a distance.”

This setup has many versatile aspects that can be used to create a professional-looking video. Users can record a lecture or a presentation, film themselves in front of a green screen in order to add a custom background later, or stand alongside their PowerPoint presentation in the final recording.

“The studio includes a video camera, microphone, studio lights, a green screen system, a presentation computer with a remote clicker and document camera and a large screen TV,” explained Broughton.

Globally, instructors and students have been learning new ways to record presentations and lectures in this remote environment, not just the Ohio University community, and the One Button Studio eases that user experience. All that is required is to plug in a flash drive, press one button and then follow the instructions on the screen.

To reserve the studio and learn more, visit the Libraries’ One Button Studio web page.