Module 05: Tips, Resources, and Support

An Engaging Learning Experience

Videos can turn a good online class into an engaging learning experience. The following tips below will help you create better videos.  

1. Write a script and practice first: Even if you are comfortable speaking off-the-cuff, a script will help you gather your thoughts and break them into content-based chunks. It will also help you get back on track if you lose your place while recording. 
2. Chunk longer videos into shorter segments, ideally no more than 5–10 minutes long.  Students may lose focus during longer lectures, and it’s also easier for you to manage any edits or updates.  
3. Use an external microphone: Almost all laptop computers come with integrated microphones (mic), but sound quality may be poor. Poor audio quality is distracting. Using an external mic such as a USB mic or headphones with attached mic can improve the quality of your voice.   
4. Consider lighting and camera angles. If you’re recording using a webcam, there are simple things you can do to look your best on camera.  
   1. Make sure the camera is neither too high nor too low by tilting the screen, or elevating your computer by placing it on a something sturdy, like a stack of books.
      
   2. Ensure you have a light source in front of you and that you’re not sitting in front of a bright window or lamp.  
   3. See this blog post from Media and Technology Innovation for a 2–minute video guide to looking your best on camera.  
5. Consider reusability: Recording course content takes time and effort. Get the most out of it by creating content for use in the future. Try not to tie a recording to specific term, season, or course (i.e., don’t say “Welcome to Week 1 of Econ 101 Winter Quarter 2021!”) and think about what information students often need repeated. If you record a great explanation of a foundational theory for one course, you may be able to share it with a related course.