Adobe Express for Pace Faculty and Staff

As of this week, all Pace faculty and staff have full access to Adobe Express. This is awesome! What does it mean? Among the many things that Adobe Express can do, you can create dynamic videos with a combination of text, graphics, animations, and a sound recording. Full access includes all Adobe stock imagery and unlimited use of Adobe’s AI image generator.

The OLC have been experimenting with this format this semester with the launch of the Health Informatics online masters program. With professor Nan Solomons taking the lead, we’ve created weekly short videos to introduce topics and provide an overview of the week’s activities and goals.

Want to learn more about how to use Adobe Express? Reach out to us at OLC@pace.edu. We’ll also be hosting a demonstration of this application and related AI tools at the upcoming Pace Online Conference on Tuesday, January 16th (details coming soon).

Podcast with my co-worker

Lara and I have been working at the Online Learning Center since December 2022 and it has been an absolute pleasure. Lara has a rich background in production and film making and personally, I have learned a lot about video editing on Premiere Pro from her. Her expertise in this field has helped her bag some kickass internships with renowned companies like Fox Studios, and NBC Universal to name a few.

In the podcast, Lara shares her unique perspective and experiences as a New Yorker. She delves into the vibrancy and diversity of New York City, discussing how being a part of this dynamic environment has shaped her identity and influenced her worldview.

Lara also reflects on her time as an undergrad, highlighting the enriching experiences and opportunities she encountered during this period. She discusses academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and the valuable lessons learned along the way. These experiences contribute to her personal and professional growth.

Check out the podcast below:

Turn Your Lectures into Videos with Canva

The Online Learning Center has been working on developing a comprehensive asynchronous masters program in Health Informatics and has made significant use of Canva to create eye-catching and informative weekly videos. Watch my tutorial for a step-by-step overview of how we do it:

 

The following topics are covered in the tutorial:

1. Opening Canva and getting into the presentation mode

2. How to upload images and audio files on Canva

3. How to use fonts and images in Canva

4. How to add effects and transitions on the slides

5. How to download your presentation as MP4

Here’s a link to the tutorial –

I hope you like it.

November Update

Image: The Professional Education and Special Projects (PESP) staff convened this month to take stock of initiatives and forward-looking goals. The OLC is a Pace Online unit which is part of PESP.

Media Production in October

  • • 29 hours of consultations with faculty and staff in Dyson, College of Health Professions, Haub Law, ELI, and the School of Education.
  • • 12 videos produced; 2 additional edited cuts (245 minutes total).

Updates and Highlights

We recently hosted a webinar on “Creating Dynamic Video Presentations with Canva” (watch the session here) with over 30 attendees. There seems to be a lot of interest in using tools like Canva. Thanks to Nan Solomons (Health Informatics) for joining us and talking about our collaboration.

So, what’s happening in November? This is a busy time of the year! Here are some current and upcoming productions:

  • – We are supporting the production of a multi-episode podcast for Brian Jones’ Writing for Diversity in Theater and Media grant.
  • – Sands College “Spotlight”: This is the second year the OLC supported the production of the Senior Spotlight videos. This year, it is a weekend-long production, from Thursday through Monday in early December.
  • – We continued production for the Health Informatics program, continuing weekly videos for HINF 610, using audio voiceovers with custom graphics and Canva animations.
  • – OLC staff assist other Pace staff in developing and creating promotional videos. We are currently working on projects in Dyson (Dean’s Office and Biology), Haub (Development team in PLV), School of Education, HEASA, Continuing Ed, and the English Language Institute.
  • – We are in preproduction for a Lubin (PLV) “Elevator Pitch” video project in collaboration with Jim Davis. Shooting starts in November.
  • – We will work with Haub professor Jill Gross to begin developing video materials for law courses. Shooting starts in December.
  • Production Tip of the month: Adobe Express (an online application and part of Adobe Creative Cloud) is an online presentation/video-making software similar to Canva. Stock (free-to-use) graphics and easy-to-use animation tools help turn presentations into eye-catching videos.

  • Please contact OLC staff to reserve studio time or collaborate with us.

October Update

Image: Class on the first day of “Podcasting: Non-fiction audio storytelling,” a course that Brian is teaching in Communications (Dyson College) this term.

Media Production in September

  • • 28 hours of consultations with faculty and staff in Sands College, Dyson, College of Health Professions, Haub Law, and Pace Online.
  • • 13 videos produced (370 minutes total) and 3 edited projects.

Updates and Highlights

  • – Brian is teaching “Podcasting: Non-fiction audio storytelling” this semester. This is a new offering in Dyson’s Communications and Media Studies program in NYC. Several current OLC projects are also will result in podcasts, including Brian Jones’ “Writing for Diversity and Equity in Theater and Media” grant project. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes on WPUB (Pace U’s radio station).
  • – We continued production for the Health Informatics program, continuing weekly “smart presentations” for HINF 610, using audio voiceovers with custom graphics and Canva animations.
  • – Paul Rink (Haub) and Dan Strahs (Dyson) have been recording weekly videos as asynchronous offerings for their current courses.
  • Production Tip of the month:You can create podcasts in the OLC. We have several custom studio set-ups for recording solo or with guests. We’ll also help you edit your episode in Adobe Audition.

  • Please contact OLC staff to reserve studio time or collaborate with us.

September Update

20 people standing together
Image: Pace Faculty, staff, and Continuing Education team welcome a new cohort of learners from Kendal on Hudson (a senior living campus). OLC staff documented the event.

Media Production in August

  • • 19 hours of consultations with faculty and staff in Dyson, College of Health Professions, English Language Institute, Haub Law, and Pace Online.
  • • 6 videos produced (65 minutes total) and 9 edited projects.

Updates and Highlights

  • – Brian presented on OLC services at Virtual Resources Fairs, including a new session focused on the Law school.
  • – We began production for the Health Informatics program, creating the first 4 of a series of videos for the fall semester. We are using Canva to collaboratively assembly animated slides around Professor Solomon’s audio recordings.
  • –  Ever wonder how a project goes from start to finish? We’ve added to our case studies highlighting OLC services.
  • Production Tip of the month: You can make an engaging video with a great audio recording. Try recording your lecture first, then adding graphics afterwards. Use subtle animations to hold your audience’s attention.

  • Please contact OLC staff to reserve studio time or collaborate with us.

Robinson Dedication – Program Video

Hello! Please follow these guidelines for submitting your Program video.

Please record your remarks using Zoom or your phone’s camera app. Please keep your remarks to 1-3 minutes.

If you are using Zoom, please use these settings:

  • – Video > select “HD”
  • – Background & Effects > Use the “blur” setting to blur the focus of your background.
  • – Recording > use “Local Recording” so you can easily share your file via email or Google Drive (see email for details).

If you use your phone’s Camera App, please:

  • – Use a tripod (or tripod-like device) to stabilize your phone.
  • – Shoot in a landscape (horizontal) format.

Here are a few more items to consider before you record:

  • – Lighting: If you have a ring light or desk lamp, use it in addition to other room lighting. Face toward a window, if you can, but definitely don’t turn your back to one!
  • – Sound: Try your best to eliminate background noise.
  • – Framing: To eliminate distortion, your camera should be at the same height as your nose. If you have a laptop, try resting it on a box.
  • – Edits: No editing necessary! Don’t worry about an awkward start or finish: Pace staff will trim the beginning and end of your file. (We can remove awkward pauses as well.)

Case Study: Pitches and Marketing

Programs: Lubin School of Business and Career Services (led by Jim Davis, Assistant Director, Lubin Programs and Services)

Goal: Assist Senior business majors in creating a brief “elevator pitch” video they can use when applying for jobs. Deliver edited video file to students for publication on career platforms such as LinkedIn.

Outcome: After prototyping a collaboration and production model with two students, we plan to offer seniors the opportunity to sign up for this project in Fall ’23. All shooting will take place on a single day, with students delivering a polished performance in 1-2 takes. With preparation, students will be able to use a teleprompter.

Image: Jim Davis delivers a pitch to students using the teleprompter.

Continue reading “Case Study: Pitches and Marketing”

Case Study: An Online Certificate

Programs: Continuing Education collaborating with faculty from the Elizabeth Haub School of Law.

Goal: Create a video-centric curriculum for paralegals on the Classes platform. Work with a team of ~8 law faculty to create a 15-week experience. The curriculum will be designed so students work through videos, quizzes, and short essay prompts, and have a chance to meet with faculty during virtual office hours.

Outcome: The Paralegal Certificate Program will launch in Fall ’23. Comprised of 190 short videos (10-15 minutes each) across 12 modules, the program will require students to spend 4-6 hours/week on the curriculum (videos will account for about half of that time).

Image: Professor David Dorfman lectures on the American Legal System.

Continue reading “Case Study: An Online Certificate”

Case Study: Senior Showcases

Similar to Capstone Presentations, Senior Showcases are a great reason for faculty to take advantage of OLC services and support.

Image: Students perform a scene.

Programs: BA in Theater Arts; BFA in Acting for Stage.

Goal: Capture student performances (monologues and scenes) over several class sessions hosted in the OLC. Students will use recordings to promote their work in the acting industry. 4K footage will be handed off to faculty for editing and distribution.

Outcome: To date, we’ve worked with two cohorts of 10-12 students. Each student performed 3-4 takes for each monologue and scene, with a faculty member directing their performance while OLC staff managed the recording.

Continue reading “Case Study: Senior Showcases”

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