Did you know that Video Home System (VHS) tapes were developed in the early 1970s and introduced into the US in 1977? Most of our current students (and some faculty) weren’t even born then! While popular for more than 20 years, retail chains in the United States announced they would stop selling VHS equipment in the mid-2000s and stop stocking VHS tapes from 2005.
So, what does that mean for Leeward instructors who rely on VHS material in class?
As we all know, equipment breaks down. Over the years, the VHS equipment in the classrooms across campus have been failing and are not being replaced. Even if the campus chose to continue supporting VHS, locating replacement equipment would be nearly impossible.
With the decline of VHS, DVD media became an option several instructors moved to. However, even DVD usage is being phased out.
So, where does that leave you? Transition to online videos! Here are a few options:
- Open Videos – there are numerous openly available videos in a variety of disciplines. A few of the sites that provide high quality open videos include Khan Academy, TED talks, Vimeo, and YouTube.
- Kanopy and other online video platforms – the Library subscribes to several video streaming platforms providing access to thousands of full-length, high-quality, ad-free films, documentaries, and educational training videos. The majority of our titles come with closed-captioning or written transcripts.
Can’t find an online video that meets your needs?
You can try to purchase a DVD version of your VHS tape if it available. Alternately, the EMC can transfer your VHS tape to DVD if you obtain written copyright clearance. Keep in mind, this will only be a temporary solution as DVDs are becoming obsolete.
We are here to help
We realize changing what you currently do takes time and effort on your part, but this is also an opportunity to introduce more current and relevant material to your course while using more accessible and flexible technology – and that benefits both you and your students. So, embrace it! And, you are not alone! The Library and Educational Media Center can help you find the resources that will meet your needs!
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“Visual of the top view of a VHS cassette” is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0