What can I do? What can I record? What should I think of? Here, these questions will be answered.

What type of recording can I make?

You can make screen recordings with or without your webcam; you can record with your mobile phone or tablet; or you can choose to record with a DSLR or video camera, either in the video studio or elsewhere.

Under Why you'll find practical information on how to hands-on make different recordings and on what you can get help with at LU.

What can I record?

There are plenty of options. The pedagogical purpose of your video decides what you choose to record. Below, some examples are listed of different recordings for different settings. Remember that these types of recordings can be done by teachers in a flipped classroom setting, as well as by students as an assignment.

Record your lecture for use in onnline or blended learning, shared beforehand or streamed live. Please, divide your lecture over several short videos!

Record an interview to introduce a (guest) lecturer or expert; to explain a concept; or to give feedback. Choose if you want to show only the person interviewed, or both the interviewer and the subject.

Record a role play to demonstrate a skill or situation when the reality is hard to film due to privacy regulations or professional secrecy, e.g. at a hospital, in detention, or in court.

Record outdoors to introduce a course, an institution, or a department; to demonstrate or illustrate a skill or a concept.

Record lab instructions to demonstrate a skill or give a step-by-step introduction.

What do I need to consider to make a good video?

The better prepared you are before you start recording, the better your video will be. The video below (in Swedish) gives you some quick tips and advice on the importance of a script, sound, lighting, and clothing. This advice holds regardless of whether you make a screen recording, a recording with your mobile phone, or in a video studio. You'll find even more tips in the text below the video.

Have a purpose!

A clear purpose with your video is helpful for you and your students. Constructive alignment, the connection between learning objectives, learning activities, and assessment/examination, is a way of connecting a purpose to your video. In doing so, your video will have the highest pedagogical impact.

Keep it general!

By sticking to general information, facts, and events that will not change quickly, your video can be re-used in other courses or upcoming terms. But of course, it is easy to quickly record a new video if need be.

Keep it short!

A maximum of five - six minutes is a good length. A short video is easier to take in. Also, you avoid big files, making it easier to upload your video on your LMS or on YouTube. If you have a longer lecture, consider dividing it in shorter parts. Take one topic or idea per video.

Keep your camera still!

Use a tripod or put your camera on something steady to keep your viewers from getting seasick. Even though hand-held camera is one of the ten commandments of the Danish Dogme 95 film movement, it does not work well in educational settings.

Two types of tripods with cameras.

Picture: Tim Caynes via Flickr CC 2.0 BY NC

Clear up your background!

It is important that your picture is as clean and stripped down as possible. Clear away what is necessary to obtain a neutral background, without any disturbing elements distracting the viewer's attention. (NB! In the video above, we used moving backgrounds to demonstrate what can be done in te video studio using a green screen).

Inclusion, diversity & equal rights!

Think about what it is you want to convey with the pictures you use in your powerpoint presentation or video. Who is depicted? Are you consolidating persistent stereotypes? Consider all grounds for discrimination - maybe you should change some pictures? How about power structures? And what is the subject's gender, age, ethical background? Is the 'doctor' a middle-aged man in a white coat wearing a stethoscope around his neck? And is the 'nurse' a younger woman? Have a norm-critical look! Change the expected and swap the gender, age, etc of the people depicted or being filmed. Remember: what you cannot see in a picture cannot become reality. If you dare to challenge the norms in your pictures or videos, more people will feel included in the message you send.

For questions, contact digital@education.lu.se