Using Video to Increase Teacher Presence and Improve Learning

A challenge to teaching online is the fact that teachers and students rarely, if ever, meet in person. Face-to-face learning environments allow a teacher to establish a rapport with students, responding to individual needs in real time and strengthening the class’ sense of community. By using video for different purposes, instructors can build and maintain a presence throughout a course.

Commentary video uses

• Overview videos: a quick introduction to the material for that week/lesson/module
• Wrap-up videos: a summary of the material or review of a specific concept or topic
• Explainer videos: an introduction to a new activity or discussion, or a walk through explaining how to complete something
• Response videos: a response to a class discussion or assignment

What you’ll need

• a quiet, well-lit place
• a few notes about what you want to include (not necessarily a script)
• a microphone (use the one on your computer or mobile device)
• a camera (use your computer’s webcam or the camera built into your mobile device)

Recording

• On a mobile device, record using your device’s existing recording software
  • Sharing your video:
    • add it to a shared album that you can access from your computer later
    • add it to a shared folder (Buckeye Box, for example)
    • email it to yourself (if it’s small enough)
• On your computer, record using software on your device, such as Quicktime, CarmenZoom, or Mediasite’s Desktop Recorder
  • Sharing your video:
    • save your video in a folder (Buckeye Box, for example)
    • if recording with CarmenZoom, video will either be stored on your machine or in Zoom’s cloud
    • if recording in Mediasite, video will be saved in Mediasite

Storage

• CarmenZoom is the university’s official web conferencing tool; it can be used for recording
• Mediasite (Links to an external site.) is the university’s official video capture and storage tool
• For ease of access and security, it is highly recommended you use Mediasite for your video storage 
  • Resource: ODEE’s Getting Started with Mediasite

Adding Videos to Your Course

• For videos stored in Mediasite, make sure the visibility is set to viewable (unlocked icon)
• In CarmenCanvas:
  • use the “edit” option for the page you wish to include the video
  • select the insert/edit media button (play button icon), select embed, and paste your embed code
    • alternatively, you can use the external tools button (‘V’ icon) and select the Mediasite tool 

Watch the embed process in action: