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What & Why
What & Why
Video is an incredibly powerful tool to improve your teaching and leverage your limited time. Many videos already exist. Searching for good videos and playlists can be a time-saver, but creating a video is very straightforward, especially with modern tools available. It's also a critical element in the flipped classroom and other innovative teaching methods. Consider the microlecture (5-6 minutes).
How long should a video be?
How long should a video be?
Neuroscience says most people can pay attention for 10 to 18 minutes, which explains why TED Talks CANNOT exceed 18 minutes. But a study of 6.9 million video-watching sessions found that shorter videos (less than 6 minutes) were more engaging and engagement time leveled off at around 50% after the 14-minute mark. But, the team also found that engagement increased when the instructor paused frequently to allow time for reflection.
Top Videos Options
Top Videos Options
These options are free to CSS employees and students. All options can automatically create captions. These are best for 10- 25-minute videos you plan to reuse. Zoom and YouTube recordings can be longer (longer is not better).
Videos are stored in different places and should be a consideration when choosing which to use. These tools are listed in order of preference.
1. Use Zoom to Record & Store Videos.
1. Use Zoom to Record & Store Videos.
We recommend Zoom because everyone at CSS has a free Zoom Enterprise account, which means you can store captioned videos in the cloud, making them easy to share. Read these directions or watch the video (right).
2. Upload or Live-Stream to YouTube.
2. Upload or Live-Stream to YouTube.
YouTube offers free, unlimited storage and easy access on slow connections. You can organize videos by channel (course name) and share that channel with students.
See this Google Doc for YouTube directions (videos are embedded).
3. Use Google Vids.
3. Use Google Vids.
Vids allows you to create, edit, and share video or audio clips from your Drive. Vids recordings can be up to 10 minutes long, making them great for micro-lectures. Captions can be edited via the transcript. When recording your screen, it is best to select the tab you plan to share.
Video Playlist (each under 5 minutes)
Gemini AI is NOT available for Vids
4. Use the Brightspace Video Note Tool.
4. Use the Brightspace Video Note Tool.
The Video Note tool allows you to record via camera or upload recordings from Vids, Zoom, or elsewhere. The max length is 25 minutes. You can insert the same video in different courses very easily inside Brightspace via the media library using the “Insert Stuff” icon in any textbox.
Other Recording Options
Other Recording Options
See this spreadsheet for different free video recording options.
Have you considered AI? NotebookLM (available for free through CSS) has a podcast tool and a video tool that creates narrated slides. You can ask it to create a product that discusses the content you upload or link to. The product is based only on the content you provide.
Video Storage & Maintenance
Video Storage & Maintenance
Videos stored in the Zoom Cloud or in Google Drive should be evaluated at least annually. When was it last accessed? If the Video is no longer in use or is no longer of value because technology, procedures, or best practices have changed, please delete it.
What happens if I leave?
What happens if I leave?
Your videos stored in Zoom, YouTube, or Google Drive will disappear unless they are transferred to a peer's CSS account. Brightspace Video Notes will remain in the courses in which they are inserted.
Videos are part of the Employee Separation Checklist for Supervisors. See the following pages for guidance:
Transfer ownership of Google Drive and Shared Drive contents. Vids are located in your Drive.
Use Google Takeout to download and export copies of YouTube videos to share them with others.
Zoom. Your account disappears when you leave the college. Your supervisor needs to submit a request to transfer your account to another user. See Request form.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Virtual Presentations - Faculty How-to Guide (Google Doc) - Provides guidance on how to set up synchronous and asynchronous virtual presentations.
Student Guide for Creating Recordings (Google Doc)
Inspiration: Peter McKinnon - Peter is great at delivering quality videos while being authentic. Check out his videos and notice that he self-corrects, is a little goofy, and occasionally has hard transitions.
The "Perfect" Instructional Video - Carleton College guide.
Guide to Planning Presentations - Carleton College article, which will make your screen recordings even more effective.
Ready to do more advanced screen recordings with dedicated software? Try OBS.
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