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Creating Introduction Videos

Creating Introduction Videos

Introduction

Best practice in online and remote/synchronous course design includes the development of an Instructor Introduction Video that humanizes you. Having the chance to meet you as a person, even digitally, helps students to forge personal connections with you early in the semester or even before the term, thus enhancing student engagement and improving learning outcomes.

We also recommend a separate Course Introduction Video that welcomes students by warmly providing important information like the purpose and goals of the course, strategies for student success, and first steps that students should take when starting the course.

Intro Video Types

Instructor Introduction Videos

  • A welcome to your students that includes an introduction to yourself, with information like your title and field of expertise;
  • Your educational and professional backgrounds;
  • Why you love your discipline and which courses you teach; and
  • What excites you about teaching and working with students.
  • We also recommend that you make your instructor introduction video universal so that it can be re-used for multiple classes over the span of multiple semesters.

Course Introduction Videos

  • The course’s name and number and how it fits into your program’s curriculum;
  • Why the course is significant and relevant for students;
  • How the course content is designed, organized, and delivered;
  • Specific and measurable learning objectives for students;
  • Expectations and requirements; and
  • Any special instructions for assignments.

Plus:

  • Avoid regurgitating the syllabus by focusing only on key points.
  • Avoid mentioning the term or year so that the video can be used for more than one semester.

How

Let the Center for Teaching and Learning help! We can work with you to create polished and professional introduction videos for you and your course through our Media Creation Team at no cost to you or your department. Our Media Creation Team has a broadcast-grade digital media studio, and our specialists and media producers have decades of experience in broadcast-quality media creation. You will present yourself and your course at the very best with our help and guidance.

Contact: digitalmedia@teaching.pitt.edu, 412-524-3335

Your Text

Your Text: You have a choice: do you want to speak from a script or work from an outline? Our veteran broadcasting professionals recommend a script, but some people prefer an outline.

 

Script

Outline

Pros Cons Pros Cons
No stumbling or fumbling, or uhs or ers, and a more polished and well planned presentation. Students will recognize that you invested effort in your video. Straight reading from a script can make some people sound canned and robotic. You remain free to improvise and be spontaneous and natural. You may seem unprepared or unsteady with a less smooth, choppier, and less professional presentation.
Easy compliance with Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, requiring that transcripts of multimedia be made available for accessibility and equity purposes. In a DIY setting, you are close enough to the camera that your eyes can be seen moving across your text on the screen, making it obvious that you are reading. You are able to look at the camera and make a more personal connection with your viewers. You will need to prepare a transcript after your recording is completed in order to comply with Section 508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act, which requires that transcripts of multimedia be made available for accessibility and equity purposes.
Easier to manage staying within a set length, ideally three to five minutes. Takes longer to create (although there is a return on that investment). Can be pulled together rather quickly. Can result in a rambling presentation that runs too long.

Location

Your Space:

It is essential that you find a quiet and distraction-free location in which to record. Public spaces rarely make good recording locations. You should also consider potential distractions (e.g., kids, pets, lawnmowers, AC or fan drone, etc.). The Hillman Library Whisper Room can be a great choice, and you can borrow professional equipment to use while you’re there.

A lack of contrast between you and your background can ruin the quality of your video. The focus of a video is you, so you don’t want to let your background steal the show. There are two simple steps to follow to establish contrast in your videos:

  • Find a relatively plain background. A solid, lighter color will work best.
  • Wear clothing that sets you off from the background.

You will have the best luck using a plain background and avoiding rooms where you wouldn’t ordinarily have visitors.

Adapted from a resource published by Kent State University’s Online Learning Team, Office of Continuing and Distance Education.

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