Although creating videos with Zoom is relatively easy, there are several factors to consider when planning and making Zoom videos. Careful planning and preparation will help ensure that your content is useful and interesting to your target audience. Here are a few important things to keep in mind:
Video design
Consider how the learning material will be integrated with other parts of the course and whether viewing it will be linked to monitoring and assessment in the form of assignments. When planning and implementing a learning video, the learning experience should be the primary goal, supported by all technical and content-related solutions.
Purpose and target audience of the video
- Consider the educational objectives of the video.
- Who is the video intended for? (e.g., first-year students, graduate students, students of a specific course).
Video content and structure
- Use clear and concise language.
- Divide the content into clear sections or modules.
- Design the video to support the learning objectives (e.g., examples, exercises, key concepts).
Video length
- short videos (5–10 minutes) hold students' attention better than long lectures.
- Consider dividing the content into several shorter videos if the topics are broad.
Visual appearance
- Make your slides clear and simple; do not fill them with too much text.
Accessibility
- Ensure that the video is accessible, for example, through subtitles and clear language.
Finally: Practice your presentation in advance so that you can deliver it smoothly and naturally.
Before recording the video
Ensure that your internet connection is stable. Without a working connection, Zoom video recording cannot be carried out, in which case you should consider using a screen capture program that does not require an internet connection, such as Screenpal.
Before making the actual video, it is a good idea to make a test recording so that you can check the sound quality, lighting, visibility of the material being presented, and other technical aspects. Making corrections afterwards can be very laborious or even impossible.
When making a video, it is recommended to use the highest quality webcam and microphone possible to ensure that the video image and sound are clear and free of interference. Ensure that the volume of the test video is appropriate and that there are no distracting noises in the background (e.g., loud air conditioning noise). Sound quality is very important for a good recording, and correcting it afterwards requires special software.
Choose a recording location with as few distractions as possible. If you are recording at home, for example, make sure that no one will disturb you. It is also a good idea to put your phone on silent.
Make sure that the area visible in the video is tidy. Use a digital background if you do not want your home to be visible in the picture.
Also, check that the lighting is sufficient and of good quality. Never film with the light behind you (e.g., a window behind you). The light should come from the front or above at an angle. Portable lamps make it easier to adjust the lighting at home (e.g., a reading lamp).
Testing and actual recording
Once you have checked the above, you can start by making a test recording. Open the Zoom app and click the "New Meeting" button if there is no pre-arranged Zoom address for the event. This will immediately start a new meeting with you as the only participant.
Check the camera and microphone settings in Zoom and make sure they are activated. If they are not on, you can turn them on by clicking the camera and microphone icons.
If you are using presentation material in your video, such as PowerPoint slides, open the presentation material and share it in Zoom by selecting the appropriate layout with the camera image. The material to be shared is framed in a green border.
When everything you need is ready, start recording by clicking the "Record" button and selecting a storage location (computer or cloud). Currently, cloud recording is the recommended way to record a Zoom meeting, but please note that the recording can only be downloaded from the cloud for 10 days, after which it will no longer be available. Local recording is not recommended, as a network connection failure can ruin the entire recording without any visible warning. See the helpdesk instructions for saving.
Zoom records everything you say and show on camera or share on your screen. You can present content either by speaking freely to the camera or by sharing a presentation or other visual content that you have prepared in advance on your screen. You can also freely combine speaking to the camera with sharing a presentation. You can pause parts of the presentation if you wish by pressing the Pause button.
To stop recording, click "Stop Recording" and then "End Meeting." Zoom will save the video to the location you have selected. Once the recordings to the cloud service are complete, you will receive an email with links to download the video to your computer. You can find more detailed technical instructions for using Zoom on the helpdesk pages.
Once you have made a test recording and the necessary adjustments, you can start recording the actual video. If you notice an error in your presentation, you can pause the recording for a moment, collect your thoughts, and re-record the part that went wrong or the entire video from the beginning if it is shorter.
Editing and publishing the video
The video is saved in mp4 format. You can play it back on any video player. Watch the entire recorded video to make sure everything went as planned. After recording, you can edit the video as needed.
When editing, try to cut out only unnecessary parts and add subtitles if necessary. You can quickly make deletions with the LosslessCut program (installable from the Software Center, see helpdesk instructions) and other edits with Screenpal. Add subtitles only at the end, when the video is in its final form. There are several options for subtitling, and you can find more detailed information about them in Flamma.
Publish the video by uploading it to Unitube Uploader and selecting the publication method (course Moodle area, link, or publicly visible on the internet). Instructions for using Unitube Uploader can be found on the helpdesk page. Instructions for publishing Unitube videos on a Moodle course can be found in the Moodle instructions. Video files are large, so we do not recommend sending them directly to viewers as files.
Feedback
After the course, collect feedback from students on the effectiveness of the videos and their learning experiences with the videos. You can then use this feedback in the design and production of video material for the next course.