Whether you’re making a product video, instructional video or an educational video, this brief guide will tell you all that you need to know about making compelling videos.
Digital videos have become increasingly popular nowadays, and there is no denying the fact that they have great influence on our daily lives. Their prominence has extended into the field of education as well, and students all over the world are benefitting from these videos.
Topics that seemed difficult to understand before, can now easily be learnt by viewing a handful of videos available on different platforms.
The Benefits
The benefits of instructor-created videos in online courses are many. They are a blessing for the students and teachers, due to their effectiveness and convenience.
For Students
Students can benefit from these videos in the following ways:
- The learning experience from videos is more engaging and sensory as compared to print materials.
- Videos can be paused and replayed, resulting in increased knowledge retention.
- You can learn everything, even complex scientific processes and mathematical formulas.
- It enhances digital literacy and communication.
For Teachers
Online videos are helpful for the teachers as well. Let’s see how:
- Increased student engagement
- You can pause the video if a class discussion is going on.
- Teachers can teach students from all over the world and equally benefit them.
- Teachers can track student engagement and attendance through the analytic features.
- These videos help students who missed the class or require revision.
In short, the greatest advantage of making digital videos is the increased student engagement and learning, increased instructor presence, and a greater student-to-instructor connection.
If you are looking for guidance regarding making educational videos, this brief guide will help you get started.
What Do You Need for Making a Video?
If you want your video to be impactful and watch-worthy, you need proper planning and the correct equipment. Without these two basic elements, viewers may likely lose interest halfway through.
Equipment
The basic gear required for making a decent video includes:
1) Camera
The most important equipment required for making a video is a camera. But let me clarify one thing: you don’t have to buy an expensive DSLR for this purpose. Anything that can record a high-quality video will do. This means that you can start with a webcam or a mobile device too. Don’t jump into buying expensive gadgets at the beginning. Only when you’re well into the game, then should you opt for something better and expensive.
2) Microphone
After the video quality, what matters the most is the sound quality. A muffled or inaudible voice is a huge turn-off, even if the video is on fleek. Built-in microphones in a camera or laptop don’t usually serve the purpose well, therefore, getting an external microphone is a good idea.
Whether you choose a USB microphone, condenser microphone or a clip-on microphone, make sure it blocks external noise and the sound is crisp and clear.
3) Recording Software
Now that all the hardware has been checked off, let’s get to the other important aspect of making a video – recording software. Our recommendation is Wondershare DemoCreator.
You can use this program to record your on-screen presentations, demos, and tutorials, with system audios and keyboard activities.
4) Video Editing Software
Once you are done making and screen recording a video, the final part is to edit it before sharing it with others. For this, you require a good quality video editing software like Wondershare DemoCreator. It has simple-to-use editing features, powerful annotations and vivid video effects so that you can unleash your creativity.
Planning
Now that you have all the hardware and software at the ready, it’s time to plan your video. The planning includes the content of the video, what you are going to say and how you are going to present your ideas.
1) Choose Talking Points
Prepare your lecture beforehand. When you are all set to deliver it, you should know exactly what you have to say. Jot down all the points that need to be included in the video. Keep practicing, to avoid any slip-ups.
2) Chunk the Material
It is a proven fact that long lectures tend to be boring. Even the most attentive person, zones out at some point. Therefore, keep the video short and engaging. Stick to the basic points and don’t be monotonous. A little joke here and a little laugh there, doesn’t harm anybody, in fact, it keeps the viewers interested till the end.
3) Set the Stage
The background is very important when making an instructional or informative video. Opt for a well-lit recording location. The background shouldn’t be loud or distracting. A clean and simple background that keeps the focus on you is ideal.
Record and Edit Online Instructors
Equipment – check! Video content – check!
What’s left is to actually do the deed. Start making the video, but don’t forget to screen record, so that you can edit it to add effects and annotations. Below we have shared step-by-step instructions for screen recording and video editing using Wondershare DemoCreator.
Screen Recording
Before you get on with the screen recording, you need to adjust your screen, audio and camera settings. Once all the basic settings have been done, you are now ready to start capturing your screen.
- Click on “Capture” to start capturing the screen. Alternatively, you can also press F10 on the keyboard to begin recording.
- After you have clicked on “Capture”, Wondershare DemoCreator will countdown to 3 before starting to record.
- If anytime during the video you feel like pausing, you can press F9. For stopping the screen recording altogether, press F10
Your video will be saved to the location you have set and open in the video editor interface.
Video Editing
With so many features, you can edit your videos and make them creative and interesting. You can add various effects and annotations to your video and make it more compelling.
Annotations
Annotations include dialogue boxes, arrows, and callouts, so you can communicate important information to your viewers. To add annotations to your video:
- Click on the annotations tab and select the category you want.
- Click on the selected annotation and drag it to where you want to place it in the timeline.
- You can resize, rotate and also change the color of the annotation by clicking on it.
- To delete an annotation, simply right-click on it and choose delete.
Cursor Effects
With cursor effects, you can make your cursor stand out using highlights, rings, and sound effects.
- The cursor effect is located at the bottom left corner of the toolbar.
- You can select from three effects: Cursor Highlight, Click Rings and Click Sound.
- Click on the effect you want to choose, and drag it to the timeline.
Videos for instructional purposes should be well-produced and informative. Adding effects and annotations to your videos can capture the attention of the students and keep them attentive. Also, the lecture should be precise and interactive, so that the audience doesn’t lose interest. So, download Wondershare DemoCreator now, and make captivating videos.