Instructional video is a type of media that can present course content to your students in a story-driven way. It can include your talking head, images, slides, other people, graphs, charts, and/or various other media to weave a timeline-based presentation. Video is a powerful asynchronous tool to explain topics for either missed lectures, a flipped classroom, or complimentary additional content.
Instructional videos are important in courses because they can add a human touch, concretize experiential information, and present additional perspectives through interviews with other professionals in the field. Videos also provide an opportunity to focus in and go more in depth on topics that students repeatedly struggle with, or need an alternate explanation for. There are different types of instructional video content, and various tools you can use to make them. This article covers introductory information for common methods for creating video, tools available at UCSF, and information on the types of help available to you.
If you'd like to read more about Optimizing Video for Learning, checkout this primer written by Elizabeth Choe from MIT.
Making quality video content takes a lot of preparation, resources, and energy to produce, but it also provides content you can rest on for years to come. You then have the opportunity to engage your students in other more interactive ways when meeting synchronously, and you don't have to repeat the same performance over and over each term.
Recording Options for Capturing Content
Online video commonly consists of a visual track which can contain recorded video, images, slides or graphics and an audio track which can contain a voice-over, a conversation, music, ambient sound and sound effects. For video content, your students will have a presumption that you will have content in the video and audio track. Your audio should be clear and understandable and your video should present visual information. Usually if you are combining recorded video with other media types, you have to capture the video and audio first and then add the other elements using a video editing tool.
At UCSF the most common ways to capture content is with a:
- webcam & computer
- digital video camera
- mobile phone
Your computer is a powerful tool that can capture your face and background with the built-in webcam, the activity or slides projected on your screen, and your voice with the built-in microphone. There are different types of software that support the use of your webcam, your microphone, and recording your screen. Check out the Tools tab to see what is available through UCSF.
Our phones can also be very effective tools for recording voices and video. Just like your computer, there are tools that help you record video and audio using your phone.
Lastly, there are services that let you check out hardware such as cameras and better quality microphones to record. UCSF provides different types of help should you need advice on getting setup, technical help because of issues, or media education to help you make quality content. In capturing media, having the hardware and software is a first step, but knowing how to use these tools correctly will take practice and a bit of training. Lastly, there is a performance element that really drives whether your content is engaging or not, and that takes preparation and practice. Much like teaching, you will eventually find your stride and individual style when creating instructional video.
Tools available at UCSF
Multimedia Software
Using the right tools for any project is important, and this is especially true for multimedia content creators. The software applications collected here are currently available to content creators who are building instructional content for UCSF academic programs.
Media@UCSF
Media@UCSF is an online video hosting platform that is integrated with the campus learning management system, the CLE, and provides the academic community with a centralized system for managing and distributing digital video content. Media@UCSF also provides apps for recording new content, inserting quizzes into videos, basic editing and more. The system is managed by the Library and freely available to CLE users.
Overview | Recording | Uploading and Sharing | Media Assignment | Support contact (LTG)
Camtasia
Camtasia is a robust screen recording and video editing tool, often used to creature narrated lecture content. The CL240 Library Tech Commons lab provides iMac workstations equipped with Camtasia, and academic faculty can also request a laptop loan that is equipped with Camtasia and other multimedia software. UCSF does not offer a campus license, but the software can be purchased at a discount from the Camtasia website.
Techsmith company website | Video tutorials | Educational pricing
COVID-19 update: The Parnassus Library and CL240 Tech Commons lab are closed until further notice. Laptop loans are available to academic faculty as curbside pickup. Please contact the LTG to learn more.
Zoom
Zoom is a web conferencing tool, but also has a record function that allows you to capture your web camera, audio, guests, and when you or participants are sharing their screens. Much like Media@UCSF.edu this tool lives online so the quality is dependent on your bandwidth. If other people are involved in your recording, their internet speed will impact their portion of the recording. This is a great option for recording interviews or conversations. Click here for questions about Zoom.
Multimedia Hardware - Equipment Loan
The Library’s Learning Tech Group provides an Equipment Loan service that offers video and audio equipment for a variety of media production needs. Priority is given to faculty, staff and students actively creating content for academic courses. There is no charge for this service.
- Equipment catalog: https://calendars.library.ucsf.edu/equipment
- More information: https://www.library.ucsf.edu/ask-an-expert/multimedia/
- Contact LTG: https://www.library.ucsf.edu/ask-an-expert/learning-tech-contact/
COVID-19 Service Update: The Parnassus Library is closed, but curbside pickup service is currently available with added restrictions and safety protocols. Contact the LTG to request a reservation.
Library Tech Commons - Work Spaces
Room CL240 of the Parnassus Library offers access to iMac workstations equipped with multimedia applications and the eLearning Studio recording space for DIY multimedia content producers. The Tech Commons also provides flatbed scanners and an analog media conversion station for digitizing DVD, VHS, cassette and minDV tapes.
- Reserve the studio or a workstation: https://calendars.library.ucsf.edu/reserve/spaces/multimedia
- More information: https://www.library.ucsf.edu/ask-an-expert/multimedia/
- Contact LTG: https://www.library.ucsf.edu/ask-an-expert/learning-tech-contact/
COVID-19 Service Update: The Parnassus Library is closed until further notice. If you are building content for an academic course and need access to multimedia editing applications, contact the LTG to explore equipment loan or online application options.
Getting Help
Learning Tech Group Multimedia Help
We provide guidance and access to equipment, software, and spaces for DIY multimedia content producers including faculty, staff, and we sometimes work with students. You can schedule a consultation for media and hardware related help.
Educational Technology Services (ETS) (Production support)
The Educational Technology Services department offers a comprehensive collection of services to the UCSF academic community, including classroom capture, live event support, and video production (on-location or in their studio). Classroom capture services are free for campus academic programs. Video production and other services are available on a recharge basis at very reasonable rates.
- ETS home page: https://edtech.ucsf.edu/
- Contact ETS: https://edtech.ucsf.edu/about
Other Departments and Vendors (specialized projects)
Special projects may require additional equipment, expertise or the hiring of outside help. Please review the resources below and let us know if you have any additional resources to share with your colleagues in the academic community!
UCSF Communicator’s Group
- Home page: https://communicators.ucsf.edu/
- A forum for UCSF employees involved in communications to share knowledge and resources, develop and distribute best practices, and coordinate internal and external communications.
- The group also maintains a shared spreadsheet of recommended vendors, join their Teams channel to talk with the group and gain access to the spreadsheet.
UCSF Documents and Media
- Home page: https://campuslifeservices.ucsf.edu/documentsmedia/
- Affordable design, print, photo and video services, multiple campus locations.