Best practices for recordings

Simplify wherever possible

• As you edit your presentation, chunk your material into 5-15 minute sections. It will be easier for your viewer to watch a series of shorter videos rather than one long one. Use title slides to indicate breaks and to introduce each topic.
• Identify content that has a long shelf life. What is basic or common year to year that you want all students to know? This is also the content that you might consider spending time on to create a high-quality video that can be used for several years.
• Identify what the viewer isn't getting from the other course materials. Consider using the video as a means to connect the material to the real world. 
• For topical content that changes year to year, consider posting existing videos online, or interviewing guest speakers via zoom to provide content that informs a discussion. 
• Not everything needs to be recorded, provide other resources.

Plan ahead

• Use a 16:9 widescreen presentation template. Keep a one-inch margin around all edges, and avoid more than 7 lines of text. Eliminate small size text, min 18-20pt. Use diagrams, charts, graphs and photos when possible. (Additional resources can be posted with the video.)
  
• Use a separate microphone and slide advancer/mouse to capture good sound and avoid unwanted noises.
• Turn off all background applications while recording, ie syncing apps and file backups. Ensure you have adequate hard drive space (min 10 GB).
• Record each topic separately. Take out reference to date and order in case you want to change that later. (ie have each video stand on it’s own, you will be able to give instructions or introductions with text. See examples.)
• Consistent naming of files: ie GHS_course#_week#-topic#

Practice

Before your video shoot, find some time to practice your delivery. Record yourself presenting using the webcam on your laptop, tablet or phone.

• Talk like you are speaking to one-three students in your office rather than a large audience.
• Smile as you are talking, it helps deliver a more natural performance.
• Watch the recording. Adjust your speed, lighting, audio to enhance the video. Leave in things that are authentic and edit out distractions.