IU offers you quite a few options for creating various types of instructional media, but which ones are the simplest to use? Setting up each piece of software, testing what it can do for you, trying to get over that learning curve, and uploading it to an accessible location on the “interwebs” can take precious time from our already busy schedules. When it comes to creating micro lectures, demonstration videos, or other various instructional supplements, there are two clear picks: Kaltura/CaptureSpace and Zoom. And here’s why:
Kaltura is a tool that will record from your webcam and/or microphone and is built into Canvas, thereby streamlining the uploading and publishing process. Kaltura also has a little-known feature called CaptureSpace which, among other things, will record what is happening on your screen in conjunction with your webcam and microphone. Instead of recording your screen you can select a PowerPoint to work from as you provide voiceover narration. Another ability provided by Kaltura which many instructors find useful, is the ability to annotate onscreen while you are recording. It’s worth mentioning that both Kaltura and CaptureSpace have basic video editing capabilities. If this sounds interesting to you, Kaltura can be found in the left-hand navigation in your Canvas course while the CaptureSpace feature can be found by clicking on Kaltura: My Media > Add New > CaptureSpace Recording. Find more information about this tool.
Zoom (located at https://iu.zoom.us ) is relatively new to IU but offers users a quick, straightforward method of recording with a very simple layout. Built as videoconferencing tool, instructors can not only record instructional videos using Zoom but they can host the recording session for the class to attend virtually and provide feedback and ask or answer questions. Zoom also makes it easy to switch between webcam, virtual whiteboard, and PowerPoint on the fly and has an easy-to-use annotations feature as well. Once you’re finished recording and end the meeting, Zoom will create your video and save it to your computer where it is easily uploaded to Kaltura to provide to students in your Canvas course.
Did I mention both of these tools and their various features are available to students as well? These tools make it easy for students to create digital presentations and provide feedback to one another beyond text. Keep an eye out for upcoming workshops in January and February on using Kaltura and Zoom in the CITL Events page. As always, should you have any questions or want assistance with either tool, feel free to contact me.
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