As more of our learning and teaching moves to flexible modes with curated online content, many of our lectures are moving online too. These steps will guide you from planning the lecture content to embedding it in your Canvas page.
This resource includes guidelines on how to record your video, but you could also adapt a lecture you have already recorded (e.g. an online lecture via Zoom). Skip Step 2 if you already have a lecture recording.
As our approaches to learning evolve, more traditional learning formats, such as face-to-face lectures, are changing. Some of the benefits of creating a video lecture are:
A better online learning experience. For online learners, it’s more engaging and seems more professional when content is designed for their learning mode.
Reusable content. You can often reuse video lecture content next session, particularly if you have split the content into shorter videos.
Improved accessibility and inclusivity.
Students who can’t come to campus can still access the content.
Learners can use captions and transcripts.
Step 1: Plan the lecture (with video in mind)
Planning a video lecture is much like planning an on-campus lecture, but there are several key considerations to optimise the learning experience.
‘Chunk’ your content. A long video can be edited into smaller sections, or videos can be recorded in shorter ‘chunks’. Chunking your content is beneficial for learners and learning because it:
makes the structure of the content and concepts explicit.
aids student cognition and revision.
allows breaks for pauses, reflections and other activities.
Keep it succinct. Let the video length fit the topic structure and concept.
be supported by your verbal points. Narrate what is on screen by describing key points in images. This ensures students can understand what is being demonstrated on screen.
be visible onscreen (e.g. text not too small to read).
not include too much text. This is a lecture and not a reading text. if you want learners to read paragraphs of text, consider a different format.
have accessible colour contrast.
Activate learner knowledge. Plan activities around your lecture videos to provide opportunities for learners to activate the knowledge they learn in the lecture. This could include:
Comment Boxes before or after the video, asking students to give their opinion on a key aspect of the lecture.
An H5P element quizzing students on key concepts.
A discussion board gathering learners’ personal experiences of a topic.
Watch the video below for an example of image narration. Notice how the presenter smoothly integrates a brief description of the images to emphasise the points she makes in each slide.
Ideally, in a lecture video, you should include both the visuals (e.g. your PowerPoint slides) and your face. This is called picture-in-picture. This helps to emulate the style of an on-campus lecture to create a feeling of teacher presence, and also allows learners to lipread and observe your facial expressions.
You can also record your video lecture in the LX.lab Self Recording Studio. The Self Recording Studio is easy to use but first requires you to complete a basic orientation and induction (book via ServiceConnect).
Step 3: Upload
Once you have recorded your video, upload it to Kaltura. Kaltura is the university’s supported media platform.
Quick instructions for uploading a video to Kaltura:
Navigate to My Media on the left of your Canvas dashboard.
Select ‘Add New’ and then ‘Media Upload’.
Select ‘Choose a file to upload’ and find your video file.
Enter the appropriate video details before selecting ‘Save’.
