Tools

Mac users, you have QuickTime built in to your machine which allows you do to some screen captures and *BASIC* video editing. You can also record audio with it as well. PC users, don't feel left out. Apple allows you to download QuickTime and use it as you would on a Mac.

No matter your device, you all always capture video with tools like Zoom. While Zoom is a videoconferencing software, you can also use it to record picture-in-picture video, screen captures, whiteboards, and audio tracks.

1. Open a video session
2. Join your computer audio (use a mic)
3. Share your screen (if you want picture in picture)
4. Click the three dots in your menu bar
5. Select record on this computer and off you go!
6. When done, stop share, end meeting and the recording will download to your machine
7. Edit in another program

Again, no matter the device, Panopto can be a great tool for lecture capture. Panopto allows you to run a powerpoint and have picture-in-picture as well. If you have multiple cameras, Panopto allows for multiple inputs as well. For instance, say you're doing a lab demonstration and you want student to see both your hands doing the demo and the lab sheet with directions. Panopto can help!

Mac users, wanna feel like a PRO??? Try Final Cut Pro. It has a steeper learning curve but it's top of the line in video editing! Very cool stuff, but be prepared to work to use it.

PC users, wanna build learning videos like folks in the e-Learning industry??? Check out Camtasia to build interactive professional videos. Build tutorials and presentations right from a PowerPoint (which I don't recommend but folks still do this). Another learning curve, but a leader in the industry.

Mac users, iMovie *used* to come on every machine, but I've seen some that haven't (so I'm really not sure what happened). It appears you can still download it for free on to your device (even smartphones - which I don't recommend). iMovie is very easy, intuitive, and comes with lots of templates. This is good and bad...if you're nervous about video, this is a good entry. If you don't like being limited by tools, this is not a good choice. Think of it as the new Google Sites of video editing....it can do the things, but you can't take control. (Here are some cheats!)

Like iMovie, PC users used to have access to Windows Movie Maker right on their machines. With all of the changes (some good and bad) of Windows over the years, I'm not sure where it lives. Rumor has it you can still get it on all versions of Windows, but that may take a bit of investigation on your part.

I learned about OBS from one of my doctoral students who happens to make educational videos for a living. If you ever bump into Matt Lewis, thank him! This tool is super smart, works on any platform, and does EVERYTHING, while remaining free and open source - take that pay programs! I highly recommend this tool!

I'm still a HUGE fan of Screenflow because it is SO easy to use! Sadly, it is a Mac-only tool. The price keeps climbing (it's currently at $129), but it always worked the best for me. I do recommend this tool but ONLY IF you make videos A LOT. It's worth it, but $129 is a ton of money if you're just exploring - especially when there are AMAZING tools for free (see the one above!).

Adobe Premiere is pretty amazing, too! Again, it's device agnostic - PC or Mac - pretty intuitive, and very smart. I really like this tool, but it also has a price tag (currently listed for $99). It's awesome and easy to use, but save your money if you're not diving into video creation. It does have a trial version (7-14 days, I don't remember which). Play around if you're interested but it locks you out the second your trial is over. Oh Adobe...such good products...so much money.

If it's free it's for me! Audacity is open source and incredibly smart and intuitive. It can help you alter poor quality audio, add sound effects, and even layer music tracks. One of the best tools out there!

GarageBand has been a staple for sound for Mac users for ages. It is incredibly easy and you can create fantastic (copyright free) music tracks for your videos.

Apple Pro Logic is what the pros use for audio. I don't generally recommend expensive tools (this one is $199), but if you REALLY think you'll get into audio development, it's worth a try. Of course, it is only available for Macs.