Quick Technology Tips for Teaching Video Lectures

Written and designed by  Alison Fung, Digital Media Specialist for the Manitoba Flexible Learning Hub

Edited by Nancy Fischer and Erin Thomas

You don’t need to be an audio/video professional to record quality lectures! Digital Media Specialist Alison Fung presents an infographic outlining quick technology tips when filming online video lectures.

Prepare your script

You don’t need to plan what you’re going to say word-for-word, but you should have an outline or bullet points to follow. This will help you avoid tangents and cover everything that you want to within your allotted time.

Separate your lessons

For best engagement, content should be broken up into digestible chunks. Try showing a short video, giving an example, or asking a question to break up your sections. You could even tell a story or display an image to help transition to the next section of content. Making this transition visually different from the other lecture content will help generate and maintain interest.

Find a quiet space

Few things are more distracting than mystery noises during a lecture! You don’t need a recording booth to have good audio but, if possible, try to schedule laundry and piano practice outside of recording time.

Use natural lighting

Ready for your close up? Good lighting helps students see you better, and there’s no better lighting than sunlight! Many students find lectures to be more understandable when they can see your expressions as you speak.

Frame your video recording at eye level and in the centre

For best results, set up your computer so that the camera is near eye-level. The resulting video should frame your face and shoulders. A student wouldn’t be looking up or down at you in a physical classroom, so they shouldn’t in an online setting either.     

Sit close to the audio device

Do a test run – record yourself speaking for a few seconds and play it back over your headphones or speakers. If your voice sounds muffled or distant, re-position your audio-recording device and try again.