Joe Seijo and I (Brian Hughes) just delivered a Zoom webinar for faculty called “Create Engaging Videos for Classes.” Here is the recording (which, for all of my emphasis on creating layered video, iconically doesn’t include my talking head overlay on my slides due to a heretofore unknown limitation in Zoom).
A screenshot from the Q&A sesh.
This session focused on strategies for creating videos as course content using Pace’s Online Learning Center. Whether the goal is a presentation, demonstration, or another format, we covered basic steps, creative options, and best practices for producing engaging videos. We provided an overview of the center’s technology and capacities, and also provided tips and best practices for those who record videos from home.
38 faculty members attended, and about again as many expressed interest in the recorded webinar to view at a later time.
When the subject of a video is poorly lit for the camera, resolution and color is lost. In general, more light is better (low lighting can be great, but the camera has to be up to the task!). We’re always working against the inverse square law of light, so keep this in mind when calculating the power and placement of your lighting.
Source: Unknown.
To better light our subjects and sets, we’ve acquired a new set of lights:
Our new GVM LED “Bi-Color Soft 1200D” studio lighting.
Do you ever want to write, draw, or annotate text on screen during a live recording? The OLC has a Wacom One Pen Tablet that can allow you to record your drawings and annotations clearly for students to see. The image below is an example of recording in OBS while using the green screen, using the Wacom tablet to write in a painting app.
Screenshot from annotation video
To record the Wacom, the OBS is set up as in the screenshot below. Make sure you have your green screen setup and your Chroma Key and Color correction Key already setup. Also, it is important to have the paint app open and displaying on the Wacom monitor before you record (or broadcast) it. Proceed to add in your Display Capture effect and select the Wacom Monitor. Once this is activated, layer your iMac Cam 2 and Monitor 2 accordingly, and you will have successfully setup to stream and annotate in OBS!
SS of OBS setup
The Wacom Tablet is a mini iPad-like device normally used for drawing/graphic design purposes on softwares such as Paint and Photoshop. Below is an example of a professor using the Wacom Tablet to write and show examples of math problems while streaming it to his students, making it easier and clear for them to see.
For presentations that require basic editing, iMovie might be the right tool to use. With iMovie, you can make simple cuts and transitions, and add audio elements (a soundtrack!). Curious if this is right for you? In this 5-minute tutorial, OLC staff member Lara shows how to create a presentation video in a iMovie using a green screen.
For a more simple approach with only one “scene” (a slideshow presentation), see Lara’s tutorial on using Zoom.
The Online Learning Center is currently collaborating on a project that hops on the trend “A Day in The Life of a College Student” where the subject, aka the student, showcases what a typical day looks like in their college life. This post features two examples of what these videos often look and sound like.
In day-in-the-life videos, students usually walk through the process of their morning routine in their dorm room, getting food, going to class, their activities between classes, and finish off with their night time routine. In our case it will be “A Day in The Life as a Virtual College Student.” The plan is to shoot a 2-3 minute video showcasing what a student’s life looks like taking online courses and how it affects their routine. After shooting the clips needed for this video, the plan is to cut and edit using quick jump cuts, just like the Tik-Tok trend, for comedic effects along with keeping the audience engaged. The goal for the video is to be realistic, fun, engaging, and most importantly, informative.
The video below is filled with aesthetically creative shots, lots of movement, smooth angles and transitions, and most importantly, the subject focuses on action content rather than talking to the camera for three minutes straight. This video also includes nice background music to keep the consistency going. The only thing missing is quick jump cuts, but this video is a longer-format vlog rather than a TikTok video.
This video below is fast-paced and the way it is edited along with the dialogue and effects definitely keeps the viewer engaged. It has a lot of comedic effects throughout such as the colorful collage of clips when transitioning, the voiceovers used when doing a specific activity, and the pacing of it. This video does feature some TikTok-style jump cuts, and for a YouTube video it definitely has quick pacing and stays consistent throughout the whole video. The sound effects and music were also a big plus in this video.
For presentations that require several “scenes,” OBS is a great (and free!) solution. For example, with OBS, you can transition between yourself speaking, your slide presentation, and showing your desktop. Curious if this is right for you? In this 12-minute tutorial, OLC staff member Lara shows how to set up and use OBS make engaging presentations.
For a more simple approach with only one scene (you presenting your slides), see Lara’s tutorial on using Zoom.
Have a presentation slideshow and want to easily record yourself delivering it? OLC staff member Lara made this quick tutorial about how to make engaging slideshow presentations with Zoom:
Welcome to the Online Learning Center blog. The center (the “OLC”), opened last week with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by President Krislov and Provost Quiñones. Brian, the Associate Director of the OLC, has set up this blog to share timely information with the Pace faculty community. Please learn about the center on our website, and reach out to us at OLC@pace.edu.
Our first ad on display outside the center. Time to build the team!
