This practical, introductory session will focus on best practices for creating and delivering engaging and effective video for your online course. This will include elements that promote student engagement, tips for timing, set-up advice, camera placement, equipment recommendations, and research references concerning online course videos.
A frequently raised concern about online education is a lack of engagement from students and a disconnect they feel from the instructor. Videos recorded by the instructor not only play an essential role in delivering course content but also in creating a connection with the students.
Recording videos is mostly assumed to be easy and commonplace. But for those who did not grow up in the digital age or for those who are transitioning from classroom teaching to online teaching, it can be a little daunting to record and upload multiple videos each week. This session is a practical and straightforward introduction for those who find themselves in this situation, especially in the wake of COVID-19.
A variety of research has been done in these areas, and I will share that information in addition to providing best practices for creating and delivering compelling and useful videos for your online course or courses.
This includes information such as how many videos should you post each week, how long should these videos be, how much time you should spend preparing to record, and how often should you record for new classes. We’ll talk about what type of videos are received best, how to set up your filming area, and how to record without looking awkward. We’ll even discuss what to wear and where to place the camera. I’ll also give equipment recommendations for recording better quality videos. {This session will not include information about software or editing.}
The simplicity of many of these strategies will make it easy for you to adapt them to any course, regardless of the topic, curriculum, level, or modality.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the differences in weekly video messages versus content videos.
- Discuss the importance of video length in reference to what students can process and analyze in a particular week.
- Share five video strategies that create student engagement.
- Reflect on what was learned and how to apply it to a specific online course.