THE Educast has been establishing itself as an essential tool for those working with digital content in higher education and research. More than a hosting platform, it is a service that guarantees continuous accessibility, digital preservation and direct support for the teaching-learning process.
We spoke with Madalena Carvalho, Director of Documentation Services at Open University (UAb) about this service. User of this 2022, states that “Educast offers the ability to host large digital files, which represents a significant advantage, especially when it comes to providing audiovisual content”.
Topics in this article:
A tool for those who value accessibility and preservation
By making digitized documents available in MPEG4 format through institutional repositories, Educast makes this content accessible to students, teachers, researchers, and the general public.
“Educast facilitates continuous access to digitized documents by anyone interested, within or outside the academic environment.”, emphasizes Madalena Carvalho.
In addition to access, there is also a concern for preservation. "By hosting digital materials on Educast, institutions ensure the continuity of their audiovisual collection and promote interactivity in educational processes," he emphasizes.
Open Educational Resources
In the case of Universidade Aberta, Madalena Carvalho explains, the institution uses Educast to provide audiovisual documents that constitute Open Educational Resources (OER), practice that reinforces the institution's commitment to open science and knowledge sharing.
"Educast is a highly relevant tool for enriching the learning experience, expanding the institution's reach, and strengthening its presence in the digital world," he emphasizes.
Capacity and availability as decisive factors
When asked what led her to choose Educast over other platforms, Madalena Carvalho is clear: “Capacity and availability.”
According to the person in charge, these features allow the Open University to make its content available reliably, ensuring that students and faculty can rely on the platform without space or access limitations.
Expand access to knowledge
Above all, Educast is seen as a facilitator of the teaching-learning process.Allows for expanded access to knowledge" summarizes Madalena Carvalho. This contribution extends beyond the institution, reaching a diverse audience that finds in UAb's digital content an opportunity to learn anywhere.
