Instructional video in a university physics program

Wayne State University is located in an urban setting where daytime scheduling of intermediate and advanced courses presents severe access problems to working students. Five years ago we began videotaping entire classroom lectures and offering registration in special video sections. The video student has the benefit of flexible scheduling, access to regular faculty, and the same treatment as regular students. Another video‐based program involves production of brief videotaped introductory modules for the introductory laboratories. Undergraduate laboratories staffed by TAs are beset by a number of chronic problems which are addressed by this program. We describe the production facilities, the everyday operation, the advantages and disadvantages, and the affordable economics of the programs.