Online learning has come a long way in recent years. Through UGA Online, faculty have access to professional media resources that help bring course content to life. Whether it’s through studio-recorded lectures, interactive experiments, or on-location virtual field trips, faculty have been able make learning more immersive, interactive, and engaging for their students, no matter where they’re located.

A New Space for High-Quality Course Content

One of the newest additions to UGA Online’s resources is the Master Class Studio in Brooks Hall. The space is equipped with professional-grade cameras, dynamic lighting, and a range of tools that allow faculty to produce high-quality instructional videos. A teleprompter ensures smooth delivery, while a digital drawing tablet allows for real-time annotations—ideal for explaining complex concepts in a way that feels natural and engaging. And, of course, faculty leverage green screen and transparent whiteboard technology to become a part of the material they’re presenting, not just a voice in the background.

By creating visually rich and well-produced videos, instructors can present material in ways that go beyond traditional lecture formats. This type of high-quality media isn’t just about making courses look better; it also helps students retain information more effectively and stay engaged in the learning process.

Learning Beyond the Classroom and the Studio

Not all course content is best taught from behind a desk. That’s why UGA Online’s media production team also travels to film on location, capturing real-world examples that connect course concepts to real-life applications. Sometimes that means the team heads out to Savannah to film coastal infrastructure for the online Civil Engineering degree…and sometimes that means using cake to explain Geographic Information Systems.

For students, seeing these real-world examples—rather than just reading about them—adds depth to their learning experience. A lecture on erosion control, for instance, becomes much more impactful when paired with footage from an actual coastal engineering site. Similarly, other courses have incorporated on-location filming to showcase fieldwork, lab demonstrations, and industry practices.

A More Engaging Future for Online Learning

With resources like the Master Class Studio and on-location filming, UGA Online is making it easier for faculty to create compelling content that brings their subjects to life. Whether in a controlled studio setting or out in the field, these media tools help bridge the gap between digital learning and real-world application. As online education continues to evolve, having access to these kinds of resources ensures that students get a learning experience that is not just convenient, but also dynamic, engaging, and meaningful.

---