What Type of Video Should I Create?
Choosing a Video Type
Once you have formulated your objectives, it's time to think about what type of video is right for you. We have identified eight different types of videos to help you get started.
Explore the links below to learn about the types of videos that you can create.
Do you have something else in mind?
If your objectives do not align with one of our categories, that is ok! These are not the only types of videos you can or should create. If you have a different idea, that's great! There are just a few things you should know before you dive in...
In 2014 EDUCAUSEreview published an analysis of data from Columbia University's School of Continuing Education. You can read more about their findings linked here. Essentially, their conclusions were that learners are more likely to keep watching and using our content when:
-
video content is aligned with course assignments
-
educators sound like themselves in video (learners appreciate humor, wit, and a conversational style)
-
video adds value above what learners can read on their own
-
videos are of good quality and look polished
-
video length is minimized (four minutes is the magic number)
References
Hibbert, M. (2014). What makes an online instructional video compelling? Ret. July 27, 2017, from http://er.educause.edu/articles/2014/4/what-makes-an-online-instructional-video-compelling
What Should My Video Look Like?
Choosing a Visual Style
Simply narrating a slide presentation may seem like the easiest way to transfer your lecture material online, but it may not be the best for your learners. Before you begin to design content for the online modality, take the time to explore your options and then choose the right visual format for your desired objectives.
Explore the links below to learn about the styles of videos that you can create.
Mixing Visual Styles
There are times you may find that is desirable to mix visual styles (ex. screencast and pencast). If you choose to mix visual styles, make sure you are working from a strong storyboard, plan, or outline.
You may also want to become familiar with the editing features of whatever tools you are using so you know how much editing you will be able to do and how easy or complicated it may be to learn (tip: to learn light editing skills, use your recorder’s help or tutorial resources. You can also explore the free light editing features available in YouTube).
You should also familiarize yourself with our notes on Designing for Learning so you can determine the best way to mix visual styles without compromising the effectiveness of your video.