You have a great idea for your online course, the target audience has been mapped, and you have determined the structure of the course. It’s time to get started!
Part of working out your content can be filming yourself. Many people find it scary to film themselves to explain specific topics. Still, students seem to value videos. It’s easier to focus on a video than, for example, on an audio file. Also, it is more pleasant to get subjects explained in the picture than to have to read a large piece of text yourself. Reason enough to pay enough attention to the filmed content. In this article, we answer the question: how do you take an online course?
Aren’t you ready to start recording videos yet? For example, do you still doubt the idea of what you have? Take a look at the article about coming up with good online course ideas. The page on structuring course material can also be interesting before you record the videos!
Make sure you know what you want to say in videos
One of the most important factors when recording videos is a script. You need to know in advance what you want to tell the student in a video. Learning goals can help you structure content and work out the script. What should a student know at the end of the video? How does the end of the first video constitute a logical transition to a second video? How do you encourage a student to start the second lesson as soon as possible? These are factors that need to be thought out in advance.
A script not only assures you that the learning goal is achieved. It also prevents you from deviating from the main subject in a lesson during filming. There is nothing more annoying for students than a trainer who constantly deviates from the common thread in the story. This creates unnecessary confusion and causes students to quickly lose the thread.
Tips on a script for videos
Of course, you don’t have to write out line by line what you want to say in a video. However, the main lines must be included. In particular, the order in which you discuss these main lines. Below are some helpful tips that can help you develop a script.
- Write the learning goal of the video at the top of the script and ask yourself each topic if it contributes to the goal.
- Make sure the video doesn’t get too long and keep a fixed length of the script for all videos. For example, choose two sheets of paper.
- Turn off the script on your computer so that it’s clearly readable while recording the video. It prevents you from having to take a good look at what you wrote in the script.
- Include moments in the script where you can refer to other lessons or specific materials (think: models, graphs, etc.) in the online course.
Set up the space in which you’re recording videos
Once you’ve worked out the script, it’s important to get started with the space in which you’re recording videos. Make sure there’s nothing to see in the background. For example, hang up a white sheet to prevent things from distracting in the background when watching the videos. Besides, you may not want to share everything with students. A second step is a choice between using an office chair or presenting standing. What do you like best? Above all, make sure you’re calm. Don’t wobble on one leg all the time, don’t twist your chair too often and never put your hands in your pockets.
Choose a good camera to record videos
You can record a video with your laptop’s webcam. However, the quality of such a webcam is often very limited. It does not appear professional to students when the image quality is moderate. Purchase a good camera, which you can preferably place on a tripod. This ensures that the camera is stable and does not move the image while recording your videos. For a good camera, you often pay between five and six hundred euros.
Get a loose microphone
In addition to the camera, purchase a separate microphone. Some microphones can be pushed onto the camera. You don’t have to control it like that. In addition to poor image quality, moderate noise also causes irritations among students. You have to be audible! Plus, it’s important to keep noise in the background out of your videos. Do you hear the noise? In that case, please reseal the text at a later date. The noise or other background noise can distract students.
Suitable time to record videos
A quiet background, a good camera, and a loose microphone form the basis of strong videos in your online course. However, there is another aspect to consider: the exposure in videos. By recording your videos during the day, the exposure is often instantly good. It’s not too dark and not too light! If you choose to record videos in the evening, you will need a loose lamp. This can create reflections and shadows in the picture. Something you want to avoid!
Video recording capabilities
There are several possibilities to record the videos for your online course. For example, you can choose to film yourself and explain everything with speech and hand gestures. This is not always the best solution! Think of an online course where you want to explain models or graphs. An alternative in such a case is to record what is visible on your screen. You can combine this with voice instructions. The advantage of this is that you don’t need a separate camera. Several programs record the image on your screen. A third option is to combine both possibilities.
Filming yourself during the videos of your online course
Filming yourself for videos of an online course is exciting. Make sure you’ve done some tests first. How are you best in the picture? How do you feel most comfortable recording the videos? Which attitude suits you best? There are several factors to consider. We’ll list a few for you.
- Give students an energetic and positive feeling, without exaggerating while recording videos. Be enthusiastic!
- Make sure you wear appropriate clothing. Sweatpants often do not give the impression that you are taking the online course very positively.
- An energetic appearance is enhanced by enough sleep to record the video. Bags under your eyes often harm your appearance.
Record the image on your screen
Recording the image on your screen is very easy. There are plenty of free tools that will help you with this. The advantage of this way of working is that you can show a presentation to students. Make sure you also record the sound as you go through the presentation. This ensures that there is enough time between the different slides. Afterward, you can record the sound again if you are not satisfied with this.
Just like when filming yourself, it is important to radiate an energetic feeling. Be enthusiastic, and be careful not to speak monotonously during the presentation. Combine the explanation with a joke from time to time, or ask students a question. While you won’t get the answer to this question, it keeps students on their toes. Also, they feel more involved in your online course.
Combination of your screen and yourself
A third possibility is to combine both options. For example, choose a presentation on the screen, combined with a small window showing your upper body. This makes a student feel like he or she is being talked to. More than if you only choose spoken instructions for a presentation.
When recording a video while giving a presentation, it can be tempting to always look at the screen. Avoid this! Make sure you look into the camera regularly and address the student instantly. As with the other methods of recording videos, it is important to radiate energy and enthusiasm. It makes it more fun for the student to continue your online course.
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