Bruin Learn - Improving Lecture Videos

The quality of lecture videos can have an enormous impact on student experience and learning, especially in the age of hybrid learning. In this article, we’ll cover small changes that can be made to your lecture video productions to make a big impact. We’ll also cover services and resources HumTech is offering Humanities instructors to help them produce amazing lecture videos.

Creating the Ideal Environment

• Aim for bright light. Ideally, you’ll want to have the light source(s) in front of you. Avoid bright light sources behind you in the shot; this will cause the camera to adjust to that bright area in the frame, potentially obscuring your face.

• Your students will notice what you have in the background, so take some time to consider what is behind you. If you’re not happy with how your background looks, consider using a virtual background. Try one of our Zoom backgrounds!

• While sound is a little harder to control than lighting, there are still some things you can do to improve audio quality. One simple yet effective measure is to let others in your household know you’ll be lecturing. Find a quiet, distraction-free space to give your lectures, and close any windows and doors to prevent outside noise from creeping into your environment.

  • Note: Any unexpected brief noises, such as a siren passing, can be edited out later.

• Finally, make sure you have a strong, reliable internet connection. Your connection tends to improve the closer you move to your WiFi router, so if you’re having connectivity issues, try moving a bit closer.

Presentation Tips

Keeping your students engaged and interested is more of a challenge online, but there are some ways to help:

• First, raise your webcam to eye level either by using a laptop stand or simply stacking books underneath your computer. Not only is it a more flattering camera angle for you, but it gives your students the sense that you are speaking to them rather than looking down at your computer. Also be sure to look into your webcam as you speak, as though you’re looking at your students directly. Looking at a camera lens may feel strange, but this will help give your students the impression that you are speaking to them.

• The clarity with which you speak is tremendously important. Even a good microphone will pick up background noise, so be sure to speak up to minimize competition between noise sources.

• Finally, if your lectures are over an hour long, consider breaking the recording into smaller parts. Students tend to retain information better when it's delivered in smaller pieces, so three 30-minute videos will likely be more effective than a single 90-minute video.

Use the Best Equipment Available

• Though most of us may be limited to our built-in computer webcams and microphones, if you do have access to better equipment, use it! In addition to traditional USB webcams, there are other devices you can leverage to get better video quality. Here are a few articles that go over how to use your cellphone as a webcam, use your DSLR as a webcam, or use your GoPro as a webcam. 

We Can Help!

• To help Humanities instructors create the best recorded lectures, HumTech is now offering a video production service. Instructors can utilize our recording studio and minor editing services to create lectures that look and sound amazing. For more information on our video production service, see our webpage.

• Instructors can also borrow equipment to use at home. Through our Gear to Go program we offer laptops, USB microphones, and even small studio kits that include a camera, tripod, lighting, green screen, and microphone.