Filming and recording lecture.

I teach post-secondary. When we were teaching online during COVID, we had to record all of our lectures. These days, now we're back in class, we aren't required to do so. However, I do have students who have an accommodation (academic supports put in place due to additional needs) that permits them to record lectures. They are advised by the disability support services that these lectures are only to be for the student's private use and they're to be destroyed once the student is finished with them. We also record simulations (lab skills practiced on hi-fi mannequins in our simulation lab), but students and instructors are advised of this at the start of the lab.

Kirkubbin2000 I don’t have a definite answer. I wonder what the purpose of filming the class is, if they already have the original. Like other posters, my lessons were provided on video throughout lockdown -but the children’s responses were not part of that as some parents would not have agreed-some don’t even agree to in school photos.
If the students know it is being videoed, the majority will be more thoughtful about what they say.
Can your son ascertain the purpose of the video?

If these people are lecturers employed by the College, they need to contact their union and find out exactly what the purpose of the recording is, and if it is covered by their contract. The union should be able to access up to date information quickly.
I too would be concerned about the filming of students, whether that is allowed without their consent.

AmberSpyglass

I mean, the easiest way forward there is just don’t use offensive language…

Can you prevent a class of students you have never met from saying anything unsavoury ?They may have ideas and beliefs that are non pc.

Seminars are recorded in real time and a small part of his assessment as an undergrad is based on his contribution in seminars.

Are they lectures, seminars or tutorials?

My son has told me it's been the norm for lectures and seminars to be recorded over the last 18 months.

As an English teacher (retired), part of my job was assessing pupils ability to talk, both individually and as part of a group. This was at all levels up to advanced higher. We routinely filmed talk performances so we could moderate them as a group of professionals, ensuring that everyone agreed on standards. The sqa could ask for them although they never did. The pupils knew in advance they would be filmed and actually it made them take it seriously. The films were deleted after a year or so. I see nothing wrong with filming presentations for those purposes. For public use, I'm not so sure.

I mean, the easiest way forward there is just don’t use offensive language…

FannyCornforth

I did a university course about five or six years ago.
All of the lectures were recorded and then available to students to access online.
I though that it was par for the course (no pun intended)

Yes Fanny that is the case,they are prerecorded. This is about filming and recording in real time where sometimes the discussions may throw up an unsavoury opinion or remark or use a word others object to.

I'm a secondary school teacher. I've had lessons recorded, no choice about it. I HAVE been given advance notice (date and time) so have been extra careful with my preparation, subject matter etc.

When we went into lockdown ALL of my online lessons were recorded.

It's more or less a teaching requirement.

It might be the case that it’s their policy for visiting lecturers too - the contract should have details in it.

I'm not sure if these are university staff are they?
There is a downloadable video already.

Having worked in HE, it’s likely to be the way of the future. It’s compulsory among several major universities already. Students hugely appreciate it, some faculty members less so.

I did a university course about five or six years ago.
All of the lectures were recorded and then available to students to access online.
I though that it was par for the course (no pun intended)

For clarification, are the son and his colleagues staff or are these to be student presentations?

Anyone has the right to refuse to be photograpphed or filmed. Unless your DS has signed a form giving permission or it was part of his contract when he took on the lectures the college has no right to take any photographs or video him without his permission. The same applies to the students unless they have agreed to such terms when they became a student of the uni. The only exception to this seems to be if the film is to be used for student assessment. I don't know if this applies.

It may be relevant to mention that broadcasters, both television and radio, are required to keep recordings for at least three months, if I remember the time length correctly.

Also, jobbing printers are required to keep a copy of what they print for a similar period and can be required to produce it by a magistrate.

So the question could be, is the lecture effectively a public performance?

If the lecture takes place on an organisation's premises and a complaint about content is received, is the organisation potentially liable for damages?

A recording could work both ways. It could protect a person from a false allegation.

Please note that I am not saying whether I think it is right to require the recording or not, I am just mentioning some things that might be relevant to assessing the situation.

Until they are clear of the reason behind the request I don't think anyone can speculate.

They haven't had a response yet.

Have they asked the purpose? If they are not happy with the answer they may be able to use data protection laws.

I hope that when you say they are resisting, their points of view are being taken on board and respected kircubbin. It's not just your son and his colleagues permission that is needed, surely participating students would need to agree too.