"Lights, Camera, Teach!" Recording yourself teaching, and then sharing these videos with your...

Amanda.P.248

"Lights, Camera, Teach!"

 

Recording yourself teaching, and then sharing these videos with your learners, is a fantastic way to build engagement when educating in an online learning environment.

 

I have a few questions about recording video content, and wanted to see what this group thinks:

• How do you create camera presence, especially if one has never filmed themselves before?
• Do you have any tips for being engaging while reading off of a script when filming videos? How can you avoid sounding monotonous?
• How long do you dedicate creating your videos?

 

Share your thoughts in the comments. I look forward to hearing about your experiences!

Karen.McCloskey886

Great questions, Amanda! Using a teleprompter app on a device sitting very close to your camera and that adjusts to your voice (stops when you stop etc.) is a great way to come across more naturally when filming. Highlighting keywords to help you refocus on them as you gaze away from the camera is sometimes helpful too. If you have a long script and can't chunk the recording into sections, then practice, practice, practice!

Amanda.P.248

Thanks for sharing, Karen! Do you have any recommendations for teleprompter apps?

Karen.McCloskey886

There are many good ones, so I encourage you to try a few. Promptsmart is a good one that comes to mind first!

Amanda.D.639

Thanks for asking these questions, Amanda! As someone who prefers being behind the camera rather than in front of it, when I am in front of a camera, I remind myself why I'm doing it. Focusing on my goal helps me avoid thinking about the camera. When I'm recording myself teaching, I think "this will help my students". I make sure to film myself when I have no upcoming time commitments, which again, allows me just to focus on delivering my content. Normally, filming takes less time than I anticipate if I follow my own advice!

Maeghan.G.964

I find writing out point form talking points instead of a full script can be a helpful way to facilitate more natural speaking. You're still prompted by written prompts, but you fill in the gaps with your own conversational and presentation style.

[Deleted User]

I like to feel like I'm having a conversation whether or not I have a real audience. I have a little caterpillar decoration that hangs out beside my camera while I'm presenting. Talking to the caterpillar and teaching it all I know, especially when no one is really watching, helps me to feel a bit more relaxed and a little less staged.

Kevin.H.200

As the AV guy for my unit, a guy who used to work in TV, and the person responsible for recording a lot of classes, I tell my faculty these tips:

 

• Online, you're a storyteller. The sage on a stage doesn't exist in a virtual space. You need to find a way to relate to the students and be yourself. This is the Netflix generation, they'll know if you're being real or fake in a hot second.
• Break the fourth wall. Talk to them, not at them. A little sense of humor doesn't hurt.

 

We use Panopto for lecture capture, I find this slideshow from them helps faculty online as well. Look good, sound good, and edit well if needed. And good video does take some time to put together.