Using Video
One of the most powerful tools in remote and hybrid environments is the use of video. Whether you are attempting a flipped classroom, an asynchronous method of course delivery, or utilizing embedded quizzes, the effective use of video can help to engage your students. There are also several ways that you can have students utilize videos on assignments and projects that increase the sense of community in remote and hybrid classrooms. We recommend that you watch the How-to videos and read the documentation provided here before the session as the sessions will focus on strategies for teaching with the tools as opposed to focusing on how to use the tools.
VoiceOver PowerPoint Video
If you just want to record your voice and your PowerPoint, one of the easiest ways to record a lecture to post for your students to view in Blackboard is using voice-over PowerPoint. This feature is built right into PowerPoint and allows you to show your screen, record your voice, and if you have a webcam, it will record your webcam. One great thing about this is that it records each slide independently before putting it all together into one video. This allows you to re-record a single slide if you make a mistake instead of having to use video editing software or re-recording a whole video! This is best for asynchronous meetings.
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Kaltura Capture
Kaltura Capture is another great tool for recording lectures. Unlike voice-over PowerPoint, Kaltura allows you to record your webcam as well. This allows you to not only have a PowerPoint, but also allows students to see and hear you. This gives more of an in-person feel to the lecture. We recommend breaking your recordings into several smaller videos, around 5-15 minutes each. This does two things, 1. it prevents you from having to re-record or use video editing software if you make a mistake and 2. breaks the content up into easily digestible smaller videos for students to view. This is best for asynchronous meetings.
Kaltura Video Quizzes
Kaltura can be used for more than just recording lectures. One feature of Kaltura is the ability to turn videos into interactive quizzes with questions embedded throughout the video. This enables you to create that reflective pause to see if students understand a concept, idea, or are engaging with the video before it continues. You can assign points to these and they are linked to the grade center in Blackboard. This is best used for asynchronous meetings.
Using YouTube
One often undervalued resource that instructors have for quick and quality content is YouTube! We can find YouTube videos on a variety of topics. These videos can be useful primary sources, such as speeches, news stories, and lectures, or they can be succinct videos by reputable sources that explain difficult concepts. In other cases they can provide colorful, fun, or creative examples for our courses. You can even create a video quiz out of existing YouTube videos to embed in your Blackboard course! These can be used in both synchronous and asynchronous settings.
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Contact the Library for Video Resources
The University Libraries have a variety of streaming video services available for faculty. These include educational and instructional videos as well as popular movie titles. Contact your subject librarian for a consultation or more information on what is available to you. These are best used asynchronously. Though you can have students watch a video at home at the same time and chat in real time using Microsoft Teams (discussed below).
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Assignment Ideas
Students also have access to Kaltura and can submit assignments via Blackboard! Here are some assignment ideas that use video: