Tips & Tools for Creating Video Lectures
… and looking good on camera
Shiao-Chuan Kung
Center for Online Learning
Tools you can use
Tools you can use
Find quiet
Record in a space without distracting sounds such as printers, phones, sirens, pets, children, loud air conditioners and heaters. Remember to turn off your cell phone!
Use a mic or headset
Don’t rely on built-in microphone of your laptop or mobile device. People can tolerate low quality video better than low quality audio.
Look behind you
Make sure that your background does not show anything
No light or window in back
Your face will appear dark.
The bright light will be uncomfortable for your viewers.
Wear solid colors
Shirts or blouses with stripes, checkers, small prints can appear blurry in the video.
Richly saturated colors work better than pastels.
To minimize glare on glasses
Prepare visuals
Use images, key words and phrases rather than long paragraphs of text.
Let your voice carry the message.
Your viewers cannot read long passages and listen at the same time.
Use an outline or script
It will help you be concise and comprehensive.
Post the text close to the recording so your students can use it as an additional resource. (It makes your video more accessible.)
Tell students to download and take notes as they listen to you.
Keep it short
Record short clips of approximately 10 minutes.
Stop at natural points and ask viewers to watch parts 1, 2, 3... of a long lecture.
Keep the content evergreen
By not stating dates or referring to current events, you will be able to use the recording again in a different class or semester.
Record a test clip
Always record a short clip to check for clarity in the picture and the sound.
Test, test, 1, 2, 3...
Budget enough time
You will need time to test, record and review.
Review recording & edit captions
Watch it in its entirety before publishing it. It’s the equivalent of proofreading.
Closed captions make a video accessible. It’s the law!
Further reading