Een foto van studenten in een collegezaal tijdens de bachelor open dag
Een foto van studenten in een collegezaal tijdens de bachelor open dag

This is what students and teachers think of weblectures

"Will this lecture be recorded?" is a common question in university classrooms. The ability to record weblectures is great for some students and teachers, but it could also result in a decrease in physical attendance on campus.

To find out how teachers and students perceive the use of weblectures, the Faculty of Social Sciences conducted a survey of 502 students and 120 teachers in March 2023. The results provide insight into the different motivations for recording and using weblectures. 

Report survey weblectures FSS

View the report about the survey on weblectures at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

What do students and teachers think?

Students are predominantly positive about weblectures. In particular, it offers a solution for students with disabilities and for students with long commutes. However, students say they see the 'threat' of weblectures lowering the threshold for skipping lectures. It is also mentioned that it is often not clear (in time) whether a lecture is recorded or not, and they would like more clarity on this. 

Teachers are divided on the use of weblectures. Some are strongly against, others (moderately) positive. Teachers say they would like to decide for themselves whether to use weblectures in their courses. Declining student attendance is the most frequently mentioned reason for not recording lectures. However, a few teachers also indicate that some colleagues should look at their course critically: perhaps the course is in need of renewal, and is that the cause of the declining attendance.

Infographic presenting the results of the survey about weblectures at the Faculty of Social Sciences

Towards mutual understanding

The faculty encourages the use of weblectures where appropriate and useful, but leaves the choice to the individual programmes. Teachers are requested to clearly communicate in the course manual whether a weblecture will be recorded. It is emphasized to students that weblectures are not a substitute for live lectures and that physical attendance is an important part of academic learning.  

The Faculty Board hopes that these results will give more insight into everyone's behaviour and motives and may lead to more mutual understanding. Finally, this research provides starting points to further improve technical support and information provision to faculty and students.

Contact information

Organizational unit
Faculty of Social Sciences