These pointers from Dr Anthony Brand will help you make lecture videos more accessible and engaging.
Do your video lectures seem impersonal?
Pre-recorded lectures can sometimes feel detached, making it harder for students to engage with the material and their instructor.
Try this!
Include short snippets of yourself talking and gesticulating within your pre-recorded videos. This simple addition makes the content more engaging, helps students feel connected to you, and creates a more relational learning experience.
Addresses these teaching challenges:
- Engaging remote or online learners, including in flipped classrooms
- Building a personal connection with students
- Making video lectures more interactive
Image: Libby Penner on Unsplash
Implementation
- Record short video snippets of yourself discussing key points.
- Embed these snippets into your pre-recorded lectures.
- Use a conversational tone to make students feel like they’re learning from you directly.
Pro tips
- Keep your video snippets short and focused.
- Use a high-quality camera and microphone to ensure clear video and audio.
- If available to you, experiment with different formats, such as using a green screen or incorporating animations.
- As always, consider the accessibility of formats used, e.g., upload to Panopto for generating closed captions.
Benefits
- Increases student engagement and participation
- Helps build a personal connection with students
- Makes video lectures feel more interactive and dynamic
Teacher’s voice
“The videos that didn’t have the just have my voice that didn’t have me talking and gesticulating and just generally waving around seemed far less effective.” – Anthony
Try this variation
- Include short ‘behind-the-scenes’ clips or mentions of the preparation process to reveal the personal aspect of teaching.
- Share brief, relevant personal stories or experiences to connect with students.
- Use humour or light-hearted moments to show your personality and connect with students.
- Incorporate short Q&A sessions within the video to make students feel heard.
Have a teaching tip to share? Add it to our jar today. Email: teachwell@auckland.ac.nz
Faculty: Engineering and Design
Suitable for
Shared by
Dr Anthony Brand
Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Engineering and Design
Level of effort required
Alignment with Signature Pedagogical Practices
Published
26 February 2025