You don't need a fancy camera setup to make a quality video—chances are you already have what you need. Nearly all modern smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers come equipped with camera and video editing capabilities. A device with a camera, external microphone, and good lighting is all you need.
Do you have a quiet space to record? A small room with a low ceiling and solid floors (think wood or carpet instead of tile) is ideal. Avoid tiled floors, large rooms, and high ceilings for optimum audio.
When recording, use an external (plug-in) microphone. Aim for strong, clear, and consistent audio free of vocal ticks (uhms, lip smacking, heavy breathing) and background/ambient noises (humming of machinery, radios, music).
If you are recording yourself, make sure there is a light source in front of you, not behind. Remember though that what you look like ultimately matters less than what you sound like.
720p HD is sufficient for pretty much any remote learning context. You don’t want to end up with a video file that is too large for upload. Look for an option related to video size or quality in your device’s camera app.
The optimal video length for student engagement is around 6 minutes, so keep that in mind when scripting out lectures for students to watch asynchronously. Edit longer recordings, such as Zoom meetings, into a series of shorter videos.
Captions are not required, but they are recommended. Also, you'll want to make sure any text that appears in your video, such as on PowerPoint or Keynote slides, is large enough to be read on a mobile device.
If you use QuickTime to record on a MacBook, iPhone, or iPad, we recommend converting your final QuickTime video file (.MOV) to .MP4 format. You can install an .MOV to .MP4 file converter app called WonTube from the App Store, or separately download and install to your device an application called HandBrake.
A talking head video is one where you talk to the viewer (camera). These videos are best for when you want to create a “welcome” or announcement message that adds a sense of instructor presence to your course.