How do I go about creating video content for my students? This is one of our most frequently asked questions, and it is often hard to respond to because there are so many possible answers. This post will provide an overview of the process and some of the tools that can be used to create and share video content with students at GSA. 

The process can be split into six separate steps:

1. Plan what you will record
2. Record the content
3. Edit 
4. Upload 
5. Create subtitles
6. Embed and Share

Each step in the process is detailed below with link to relevant resources:

1. Plan

   It is usually very useful to write a script for your video. This will make the recording process easier, and keep your videos concise. Aim to keep your videos quite short, and if you have large amounts of information to convey, look for ways to break it up into smaller videos.  

   Decide what you would like your students to see in the video. You can use your webcam to record yourself, you may wish to narrate over powerpoint slides. Some software such as Screencast-o-matic (more details below), will allow you to insert a small webcam image in the corner of your screen to maintain a personal aspect while presenting a powerpoint for example. 

   Remember you can use other any other presentation software such a Miro, Padlet etc. Or if you are showing students how to use software you can set up to screenshare, so you can demonstrate processes and techniques on the screen.

   An external USB webcam may be useful for capturing any physical techniques, skills or processes away from a laptop screen.

   Also, remember you can always use a smartphone or tablet to make videos too!

   Screencast-o-matic recorder

2. Record

   There are a number of programs and methods you can use to record your video.

   Narrating over a Powerpoint is a simple and effective way to create a video. However before you begin, make sure you are using the latest version of the Powerpoint app on your computer. Video export is not available on the web based version of powerpoint, and older versions can cause problems. Contact the IT Helpdesk if you need assistance updating the the latest software. First narrate your powerpoint, being careful not to speak in-between changing slides. You can then export your powerpoint as a video using these instructions.

   You can also record your webcam video directly in Canvas although it has many limitations, for example editing and downloading is unavailable. If you would like to use this method, this step-by-step guide is available in the Canvas Guides, however we would recommend staff use one of the methods detailed below to create their videos.

   Screencast-o-matic is an easy to use service, with added features such as editing and screen recording in an easy to use environment. GSA Staff can contact the IT Helpdesk to arrange the set up of an account for this service. There are lots of tutorials available directly from Screencast-o-matic, and there is also this  GSA specific guide on the Engaging with Students Online course. It has a useful feature that inserts a small webcam feed in a corner of your video, that can help make your videos more personal and engaging for students.

   For staff using an Apple computer, the Quicktime app can be used to make easy screen recordings. Apple has a guide to making screen recordings in Quicktime. The app is installed by default on all Apple computers.

   Planet eStream is GSA’s dedicated video streaming service, where we host most of our videos at GSA (more on that below), however it can also be used to make video content. There are two ways to make videos in Planet eStream, first using the web recorder, and secondly using the (Windows only) encoder app.  Here is a guide to using the Planet eStream web recorder.

3. Edit

   If using Powerpoint to create videos, you can get everything set before you create your video, which means you shouldn’t need to edit it afterwards.

   If you are creating videos using Screencast-o-matic, you can use the built in video editor to trim, edit and add titles to your video content.  Tutorials are available on the Screencast-o-matic website.

   Planet eStream also has a useful cloud-based video editor. Below is a video showing how to use the editor. You will first need to upload your video by following this guide to uploading content to Planet eStream. 

   

   GSA Staff and students also have access the Adobe Suite of apps, and Adobe Premier is a fully featured professional video editor. For help accessing Adobe apps please contact the IT Helpdesk.Remember GSA staff and students have access to LinkedIn Learning via their Office 365 accounts, where there are many tutorials on Adobe and other software. This library guide to Accessing LinkedIn Learning walks you through the process of accessing the service.

   
4. Upload

   We recommend uploading and hosting your videos to GSA’s Planet eStream account. If you do not wish for your videos to be accessible to all at GSA, you can tag them as ‘Private’ when uploading, so only you and those you share links or embeds with will be able to access (ie. the students on your canvas course) 

   Please see our Canvas for Staff course guide to uploading content to Planet eStream. 

   
5. Create Subtitles

   For accessibility all (non-live) video content should be subtitled. There is a range of software that can do this automatically, however  auto transcriptions usually need checked over for any inaccuracies and corrected where possible. The subtitling process can be a bit convoluted, but it’s quite simple once you get used to it. The whole process is covered in the video below. Please contact the  IT Helpdesk to get an account for Otter.ai (our subtitling software) 

   
6. Embed and Share

   Once you have created and subtitled your video on Planet eStream, you are ready to embed the video in your Canvas course so your students can engage with it. Here is a guide showing how to embed media content in Canvas