Using Instructional Video
Instruction and Legal Considerations
In addition to technical considerations when producing and delivering video to your students, please keep in mind:
- Video isn’t always the best means of delivering instruction.
- Video is great at showing movement and conveying interpersonal immediacy. On the other hand, video capture of a one-hour classroom lecture may not be the most effective or efficient means of delivering content. The blog article Why not just record my lectures? elaborates on reasons by starting from the context of an online learner.
- Do students need to see the speaker? If not, consider an audio recording, audio-narrated slideshow, or audio-narrated screencam video. Research shows that one of the least important behaviors is providing videos just so students can see and hear their instructor.
- Keep it short. Research shows that students tune out of long videos. Keep segments under five minutes and augment them with text documents and other materials.
- Provide a balanced integration of video with other course materials and learning activities. Research findings highlight such integration and the need to create student engagement via students' interaction with course content. Creating a community of inquiry leads to meaningful outcomes in the online class.
- Captions are required by law. Captioning videos can be a time-consuming process. While ODL can deliver machine-generated captions for videos uploaded via Canvas to Kaltura, these are only 75-90% accurate—even less so with highly technical content. This means you’ll have to review and edit them, which can be tedious, especially if you don’t start with a script.
Creating Your Own Videos
- Take a workshop. Each semester ODL offers face-to-face workshops and live online webinars to assist instructors who are developing online course sites. Instructors can visit our Faculty Development Lab or log on anywhere via Collaborate to learn the best practices for their specific site. Visit the media consultation scheduling page to make an appointment.
- Use our DIY studio. FSU faculty can also schedule time in ODL’s One Button Studio, a complete professional DIY setup that requires no video experience. See more information on this option.
- Help your students. Faculty are incorporating more student-generated video assignments into their courses. We have developed a series of tutorials that can help your students produce more engaging videos for class projects. Consider linking to these best practices for student video production in your assignment overview.
For tips on doing your own video recording, check out some helpful tips in Best Practices for Webcam Videos.
Using ODL Media Services
The Instructional Technology & Media team at the Office of Distance Learning works with online instructors to identify and develop effective uses of media for their online courses. Instructors provide the content and subject-matter expertise while our team provides guidance and best practices for enhancing the online learning environment. The services listed below are reserved for our exceptional online instructors and faculty. View our Video Production Policies to learn more and to request a media production consultation meeting.
One-on-One Support
Our consultants will work one-on-one with you on video production. Visit our Whisper Room to record, polish, and upload lectures directly into your course site. Bring your laptop to get an idea of how to use your own equipment and become less intimidated by your webcam.
Introduction Videos
An introduction video to your course is a great way to personalize your connection with students. Our media team will work with you to develop a script that introduces the subject and outlines the material that will be covered.
Using the Green Screen (or "Weatherman Effect")
Our media production group can enhance your recording capabilities with the use of our green screen. The green screen enables you to superimpose video over a different background (like the method commonly used in weather reporting and Hollywood special effects).
Hosting Videos in Canvas
FSU faculty have a number of options for delivering video content to students:
- Embedding external videos
- Kaltura media services
- Direct upload to Canvas
To learn more about these options, visit the Canvas Support Center.
Remember that the law requires your course content to be accessible to persons with visual or auditory disabilities, so check to make sure closed captions are available for any required video content.
See our Media Services flyer for examples of instructional videos.
