Home » Teach Online » Enhance Your Online Course » Course Enhancements From Video@CDL Course Enhancements From Video@CDL We believe that a quality online course contains well-produced and well-integrated videos. By harnessing the power of the moving image, Video@CDL creates industry-quality media that helps faculty reach their educational goals. Our original video content makes the learning experience more effective and engaging for UCF’s online students. If you are thinking about adding video to your online course, this is a great place to start. Our best practices below provide examples of videos to inspire your creativity. Spend some time here to see different ways to incorporate video into your class. After reviewing the best practices, you can request a consultation and review our production services and facilities. Best Practices No two online courses are alike. The same can be said for video production. Each video carries its own unique set of objectives and challenges which require careful attention to ensure your course content is delivered in a way that both instructs and captivates your students. Think of the Best Practices as our list of video genres that will help you get the job done. Through careful research, we have identified scenarios where well-produced and well-integrated video can be the most efficient and engaging delivery method. PERSONAL INTRODUCTION The Personal Introduction is a way for you to bring your personality into the course while relaying important information to your students. These videos are best when kept between 1-3 minutes. Feedback from students reveals that a Personal Introduction helps them to create a more human connection with their online instructors. There are two primary types of Personal Introductions. The first one is the Instructor Introduction. These videos cover personal information about you, include supporting images or video, and allow you to discuss your educational and professional backgrounds, family life, and why you enjoy teaching the course. You may also opt to do a Content Introduction for either the course as a whole or its individual modules. The course intro presents an overview of what student can expect during the semester such as general course topics, policies, grading rubrics, and communication methods. The module intro is intended to highlight module objectives, remind students of deadlines, and give the instructor a constant presence throughout the course. These videos are typically done in a series, with one video addressing specific issues for each module. Tips for Personal Introduction Videos Keep videos under 3 minutes. Check the runtime by reading your script out loud while timing yourself. A general rule of thumb is between 300-400 words max. Write your script fully and avoid ad-libbing. A finished script makes you appear more polished on-camera and provides instant closed captioning for your video. Use short, simple phrases for your intro. A video-friendly script is easier to read on a teleprompter. Be yourself. This is your chance to let your personality shine through. Providing personal photos or videos is encouraged. EXPERT TESTIMONY The Expert Testimony is a great way to bring the industry into the classroom. These story-driven, documentary-style videos are typically produced as a series, with each video addressing a different topic. An interview with a “field expert”, recorded either in our studio or on a location relevant to the material, provides the foundation of the video. Supporting “b-roll” footage (filmed on-location) is added, along with custom-designed motion graphics to create dynamic content that effectively engages your students. Each video in the series should remain under 3-5 minutes and used strategically throughout the course. Our team of producers will work closely with you to develop a compelling concept, refine interview questions, and coordinate the production. Tips for Expert Testimony Videos Each video should be focused on a singular topic. Develop a list of questions (7-10 max) focused on the learning objectives of each video. Arrange for a handful of experts and plan for multiple videos so the series isn’t dominated by a singular voice. Please be aware that multiple location visits for additional recordings are often required. Content should be exclusive to the video and should not duplicate course reading material. Consider embedding these videos as mandatory viewing inside course assignments, discussions, quizzes, and exams. DEMONSTRATION A Demonstration presents processes or procedures that are best understood by viewing a real-time example. These videos are often produced as a series and integrated throughout a course. The length of each video will vary depending on the content, but we recommend aiming for 5-7 minutes. Our team of producers will work closely with you to refine your presentation and design the overall tone of the project. Tips for Demonstration Videos Keep demonstrations as succinct as possible. Focus on content areas that are historically challenging for students. Script each procedure to ensure each video meets the learning goals. Adhere to a “style guide”, developed for you by Video@CDL, to maintain a consistent look and feel. Consider embedding these videos as mandatory viewing inside course assignments, discussions, quizzes, and exams. ANIMATION An Animation helps to dynamically visualize concepts that are abstract in nature or difficult to record on camera, such as scientific processes or philosophical ideals. Generally, these videos run between 3-5 minutes. Animations are typically anchored by professional voice-over narration and brought to life by creative and colorful motion graphic sequences that address the video’s desired learning outcomes. Tips for Animation Videos Develop clear learning objectives for the video and use these as a foundation to build the script. Focus on content areas that are historically challenging for students. In collaboration with Video@CDL, design a look and feel that compliments the material. Consider embedding these videos as mandatory viewing inside course assignments, discussions, quizzes, and exams. PROMOTION The goal of a Promotional video is to market specific courses, programs, or university departments. These videos are typically between 2-5 minutes and shown both inside and outside of Webcourses@UCF to reach a wider audience. They may highlight course content that will excite students or services that will benefit a student’s education or career. Tips for Promotion Videos Develop clear talking points for the video and build the script around those topics. Consider the audience to design a message that is relevant and relatable. SIMULATION A Simulation recreates real life situations through acting or role-playing. These videos typically have a runtime of 5-10 minutes and are produced in a series. Unlike a Demonstration which may use an actual example, a Simulation is used when confidentiality or safety of the participants may be an issue, or when specific behaviors or reactions must be modeled. Tips for Simulation Videos List desired learning outcomes for each video, and build a script that addresses these points. Design scenarios that recreate common, real-world experiences. Consider embedding these videos as mandatory viewing inside course assignments, discussions, quizzes, and exams.
