Getting Started
Ready to roll?
For many, simply clicking on RECORD and "going for it" may not result in a great video product. Planning and preparation will get you the teaching & learning video you are aiming for!
Step 1: Plan & Prepare
The best way to start is to gather your ideas, think about your audience, and plan for outcomes. What do you want your audience to learn? How will you know your video captures the essence of what you want students to know? Consult and collaborate with others who have video experience.
Check out the Getting Ready page as you prepare your instructional content. This is the time to write some notes and a bullet-point script.
Step 2: Gather Your Equipment
For most people, a phone camera is all that's needed to get started. The next level involves a computer with an internal camera or an external webcam, like this one: Logitech C920 Pro HD. Consider upgrading to a desktop microphone, such as a Blue Snowball. See our Video Tools page for an extensive list of options for video creation software. As you progress, simple studio lighting and video equipment will turn amateur video into professional video content.
Step 3: Get Some Tips
Watch the video below for 10 Tips for creating your first video productions, including the importance of audio quality and lighting, and planning for a successful finish. Then review the
Video Types page to select the mode of video that will work best for your instructional goals.
Aaron Johnson, Associate Dean of Educational Technology, Denver Seminary (2017, Jan 20). Lecturettes 101: 10 Tips for Creating Effective Lecturettes [Video]. Posted by Permission from https://player.vimeo.com/video/144157377. Cf: https://denverseminary.edu/
Step 4: Record!
You've planned and prepared, chosen your video format, and even scribbled some notes and
rehearsed a bit. Now comes the fun part: shooting your video. Some people enjoy recording in small spurts, while others benefit from shooting entire sequences of video at one time. Keep it casual or re-record to sharpen it up. Practice makes perfect for improving your production expertise.
Step 5: Edit?
If you're feeling ambitious with your first video, there are many simple video editing tools available online or built-in to your own computer as software. (See the Video Tools & Software page.)
Built-in Editing Tools: For those using Mac equipment like the MacBook, you have iMovie as a preloaded software on your computer. Windows users have Movie Maker (aka Movavi) but it might not offer the high production value you're looking for. Filmora is a free download and advertises itself as the best alternative for iMovie and Movie Maker.
Play around with what you have available to you as built-in software until your comfort level increases. Or, dive in to one of the easy-to-use online tools with HD quality output and cloud-based video storage. Most have free accounts and extra features with paid subscriptions. See Video Tools.