Video and multimedia play an important role in online learning by capturing learner attention, improving learner retention, and increasing overall engagement. Videos can be used to introduce a course, deliver content, demonstrate techniques, clarify concepts, build teaching presence, and increase accessibility. Creating the media for online courses can range from simple, informal, self-produced videos to more complex, production-assisted, professional videos.
Self-Produced Videos
Self-produced videos include lecture recordings from synchronous online courses, instructor-created overview videos, for asynchronous courses, (for example introducing a weekly module or topic), explainer videos, clarifying a concept or idea that has come up and is causing confusion, check-in videos, to keep students on track and ensure progress is being made in the course, and feedback videos in response to assignments or assessments.
These videos are typically informal as they often take the place of conversation and require no special equipment. Instructors can use their laptops or phones to create them and the videos do not need to be heavily edited (if at all.) However used, the instructor-created videos also bring to the student their teaching presence, an important humanizing element, that allows the students to get to know their instructors and feel more engaged with the course.
Production-Assisted Videos
Production-assisted videos are more formal, professional-level videos that require planning, set-up, and specialized equipment. These include videos such as course introduction videos, allowing instructors to create an “evergreen” video that will be suitable for many sessions of the course, informational videos, containing class content, that becomes part of the instructional material, professional insight videos that provide students the opportunity to hear from professionals in the field, demonstration videos, showcasing a skill, technique, or process, and course promotion videos that can help spread the word about an elective or specialized course.
With assistance and insight from instructors, videos, photos, audio recordings, graphics, and animations can be created and used to align with course objectives and serve as resources to students.
What is possible?
The DELD (Distance Education and Learning Design) team serves the college by providing opportunities for instructors, faculty, staff, and teaching/research assistants to create various forms of content in order to enhance the educational experience of EHE students.
What to expect?
In addition to full-scale production support, we also offer consultations and more hands-off production support for those interested in producing these materials themselves but looking for advice. As we are experienced in all forms of multimedia and operate our own professional studio on campus, we welcome all creative ideas and are equipped with the resources to accommodate them.
When we receive your request we will reach out and set up a consultation meeting. The consultation meeting will be used to define exactly what type of media you are looking to create, what educational goals it will achieve, and how the content will be delivered to your audience. Based on answers to these questions we will develop a production schedule to ensure the timely completion of the project.
Production Schedule
Each multimedia project can be broken down into three phases. These are pre-production, production, and post-production.
Pre-Production
After completing our initial consultation meeting the pre-production phase is already underway! Pre-production involves all the planning and scheduling tasks necessary for your media to be created in a way that achieves your vision and goals. All videos will start with a script. If anything is to be said or communicated, an outline is needed at the very least, even if the content is strictly visual.
Depending on what you prefer, we can work collaboratively with you throughout this process but are also able to provide resources to empower you to complete these items independently. Once these planning documents are completed we will meet once again to make sure we have everything covered that we need for success, and will begin scheduling for production!
Production
The production phase is where we make it all happen! This part of the process varies greatly depending on the type of content you are requesting. If you are requesting a video, this is when the recording will happen, either in-studio or on location.
During these recordings, we will capture all the content to be featured in your finished product. Depending on the nature of the video, we may request your presence as a subject matter expert during recording to ensure the information being conveyed is accurate and what you envisioned. This is also when extra footage, otherwise known as “B-roll”, will be captured as necessary.
If you requested media that will be created digitally, without physical participation, it will be created during this time as well. If that is the case, sit back, relax, and wait in anticipation as our team works diligently to create exactly what you are looking for.
Post-Production
At this stage in the game, we are nearing the finish line! At this point, all the media needed for the completion of your project has been captured and is now being combined and refined into the final product we’ve been working towards.
Once our team has worked their magic behind the scenes and has finished putting it all together, you will be given access to view the content and provide feedback. This is your chance to request any changes that you would like made before the content is finished and your final draft is delivered.
If you request changes, we will determine how much time is needed to complete them and will provide the new, final version accordingly.
Examples of our Work
Video can serve many purposes when it comes to the impact they have on your course. Below you will find examples of the different types of academic content we have produced in the past, including brief explanations for how each promotes engagement with learners.
Course Introduction Videos
A brief introduction video is a good opportunity for instructors to introduce themselves to their students, provide information regarding the syllabus and give students a sense of what to expect throughout the semester. An onscreen presence like this can be particularly impactful for courses where students have fewer opportunities for face-to-face interactions with their instructor and has been proven to increase learner engagement in those instances.
Informational Videos
These types of videos are a great way to deliver information to learners. They serve as a concise, engaging alternative to covering topics via more traditional methods such as assigned readings and lectures. If there are details to a topic that you want students to focus on directly, this type of video is great for delivering the specific information you want them to know.
Professional Insight Videos
Insight from those already out in the workforce can be incredibly helpful to students hoping to follow a similar career path. Planned and produced videos featuring volunteers willing to share their knowledge with your students have many benefits over traditional ways this information is conveyed. Instead of having to schedule such individuals to return and present year after year, these videos can be used in perpetuity. They also remain consistent, ensuring every class receives the same information. Otherwise, the information being covered is susceptible to potential time constraints and unpredictable circumstances that may arise during their in-person presentations.
Demonstration Videos
For many learners, a visual representation of how to complete a certain task can be extremely helpful. For these videos, the goal was to demonstrate the practices students are being tasked with completing as part of their course. This can be done by providing them with a single example to analyze and discuss, by contrasting good and bad examples of how to complete the same task, or for tasks that require more specific steps for consistent completion. Below are examples of all three methods.
Course Promotion Videos
Finally, a good way to make your course stand out to prospective students is to produce a promotional video. Instructors and students both benefit from these videos as they can increase awareness of, and enrollment in certain courses as well as provide students with insight regarding what to expect before they enroll. If your course offers unique benefits to students these videos offer a great opportunity to set it apart from others.
Ready to Get Started?
To get started, submit a request for a Multimedia Consultation – Academic Courses
