by:Jeanne Aimerie on: February 27, 2023Video lectures are more and more becoming a student learning tool. There are ideal for any teacher looking to set up online courses or flipped classrooms. It is a fun, creative and engaging way to share your knowledge while improving students’ success. Learn more about how to make video lectures step by step with our informative guide!
The variety of video lectures
There are numerous ways of using video to deliver educational material and enhance the overall learning experience.
- One approach is a talking-head video with a professor, lecturer or instructor speaking directly in front of the camera.
- There is also in-class lecture capture, which consists of recording in the classroom.
- Videos can be created with slides and voice-overs on the subject matter, demonstration videos or screencast to deliver knowledge and information.
- Last but not least: teachers can create interactive lectures in which video, audio, PowerPoint slides, and other features are combined.
Whatever your needs are, video presentation is an innovative solution for online and blended learning!
How to create online teaching videos?
Video-making essentials
To create online learning with teaching videos, you’ll need the right tools before you get started. You’ll need:
- a screen recorder or screen recording software,
- a presentation or slide software,
- an external USB microphone (for the best audio results),
- a webcam, plus a basic 3-point lighting kit. The lighting kit is optional, however if you wish to enhance the image quality of your video, this will definitely be a must-have!
Plan and prepare your video lecture
Before the camera starts recording, you must plan and prepare the structure and content of your video lecture. Start with the script, so you have a clear idea of what you want to say.
Consider additional resources to attach to your video, giving more substance to highlight the points being made, or to explain or explore certain aspects of the learning. For example, it can be helpful to detail specific dates or quote memorable events.
Think about interactive activities so the audience can participate. Even if the participants are watching the video remotely, quizzes, surveys or other activities can be added to your content so it makes your content way more engaging.
You can include slides to focus on key points and summarise relative content. It’s important to keep the attention of your audience, so popularise your remarks as much as possible, limit the use of acronyms and make short and poignant sentences.
Planning what you’re going to say and which resources you’re going to include in your video presentation makes the recording process a breeze, and your audience will appreciate it too!
Optimise the quality of your video lecture
You’ve got the tools, you’ve got your structure and plan done, it’s now time to start filming. To optimise the quality of your video lecture, choose a calm and quiet place to record, as this will maximise the audio quality of your video. Make sure the webcam is securely and correctly set up and placed around eye-level. Align your head and shoulders within the frame of the camera, and you’re ready to go!
Recording your video lecture with a smartphone: is it a good idea?
As technology advances, more and more smartphones and devices offer an amazingly high video quality. Most mobile device cameras even have stabilising technology, but may still need a small tripod if self-recording. If using a smartphone or another device such as a tablet, use a clip-on mic for the best sound quality, and use a 3-point lighting kit for a more appealing image quality
The clean-up phase: edit your video lecture
The post-production phase is an opportunity to edit your video and make it the best it can be. You can clean-up or correct any undesired noises, mumbles or mistakes made in delivery.
Videos can be synchronised with PowerPoint slides, and elements such as images, illustrations or examples can be added. Interactive elements can be added too, including quizzes, multiple choice exercises or any activity that will help students get involved in the learning process. Web objects such as YouTube videos or web page sources also help to make a video presentation more interesting and engaging. And if that all weren’t enough, screen recordings and dialogue simulations can also be added to your video’s post-production makeover!
The WebStudio by UbiCast: making video editing easy
Choosing the right software can simplify the video editing process, making it even easier to make video lectures. The WebStudio, a tool developed by UbiCast, allows you to capture the image from your camera and computer simultaneously. You can choose the location of different streams (both screen and webcam), comment on the presentation, and capture all presentation materials including PowerPoint slides, spreadsheets, professional software, and websites, etc. Once your edited video is published on your personal channel, you can further enrich its content with annotations, chapters, comments and interactive activities such as quizzes or polls.
Creating online teaching videos is easy, as long as you have the right tools and set up. You can refine and optimise the delivery of online lectures by following our step by step guide, and using the WebStudio by UbiCast! Improve your teaching approach online and increase the engagement of your audience by including video in your educational programs. You won’t regret it.
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