Video class assignment tips for instructors and students

Last updated on: September 27, 2022

This article covers:

• Overview
• For instructors
• For students
• Getting Started
• Team Roles and Responsibility
• Stock Photos and Graphics
• Video Software
• Video Tutorials
• Affordable and royalty-free audio clips

Overview

Video assignments can be a research-intensive, collaborative, and highly engaging student activity. The video can demonstrate skills, knowledge, and communication strategies. View some student video projects to give you ideas for your next class assignment.

For Instructors

• Final videos should be between 2-5 minutes. A high quality 5-minute video can take about 5-10 hours to produce.
• Ensure that the project grade has the appropriate weight.
• Ensure that students keep you updated with their progress, require them to send you frequent project updates to avoid the project being done at the last minute.
• Create a “Group Planning” document for your student groups to help them plan, communicate, and organize. Spanish Skits (http://goo.gl/hvaq4I)
  Chemistry (http://goo.gl/RpsPO2)
  B2B Marketing (https://goo.gl/DsQef7)  Why Make B2B Videos?
• For help with video assignments, contact videomanager@du.edu to get answers to your questions and support. We can give your students a workshop and a tour of the Digital Media Center.
• Give your students a few weeks to complete this project. Each week students should submit a progress report to ensure they are on track.
• Inform students that they can upload their videos into your Canvas course using My Media
• Create a video assignment in your Canvas course to make.
• Instruct students to submit their video assignments to make grading fast and easy using the Canvas speed grader tool.
• Use a grading rubric below to clearly communicate how this type of project will be graded. Here are some sample grading rubrics:
  • Science Communication Rubric
  • Pecha Kucha Rubric (PDF)
  • Infographic Instructor Grading Rubric
  • Multimedia Science Activity Rubric
  • Digital Storytelling Rubric
  • Digital Video Project Rubric
  • B2B Marketing Video Rubric

For Students

• Tips for students completing video class assignments (PDF)
• Create a “Video Planning” document for your students to help them plan and organize their project:
  • Spanish Skits
  • Chemistry Educational
  • B2B Marketing
• Take advantage of the DU Digital Media Center; they have friendly staff and cool video software.
• Computer Screen Capture:  Jing (Free) and Skitch (Free)
• Prioritize recording high-quality audio. The further the microphone is from your presenter, the worse your audio quality will be. Recording indoor in quiet spaces or adding a voice-over track are the best options for capturing high-quality audio.
• Define a clear purpose and outcomes for the video .
• Establish teams and assign project roles and responsibilities.
• Research videos online that match your goals and expectations.
• Produce a video that is visually engaging to your audience. Scenes should be changing every 5-10 seconds.
• Create a storyboard shoot list and script .
• Create a project timeline and video team document to keep you organized.
• Tips for producing class assignment videos, “Before, During and After”.
• Have weekly team meetings.
• How to produce a video documentary by Adobe
• How to share final video securely to only class participants via Canvas Media Gallery

Team Roles and Responsibility

• Producer: Initiates and coordinates meetings and time management; has a high-level view of the project and timelines
• Script Writers: Responsible for creating the storyboard and script
• Researchers: Responsible for researching the topic, fact collecting and citations
• Videographer/Photographers/Audio Technicians: Responsible for video recording and still photos; ensures good lighting and audio quality
• Narrators: Provides audio or video commentary
• Illustrators / graphic artist: Responsible for drawing custom art work
• Video & Audio Editors: Responsible for video and audio editing software; will edit and share revisions with team members

Stock Photos and Graphics

• OpenVerse – 6 millions reusable objects
• Pexels.com
• Flickr Creative Commons
• Videezy
• DU Flickr Collection
• Science Images
• Archives.org
• Videvo.net – video b-roll clips

Video Software

• ZOOM: Free video conference for all DU staff and students. Allows you to record your computer screen, webcam, interviews, and microphone. No editing features.
• Kaltura (Canvas My Media and DU MediaSpace): Free video conference for all DU staff and students. Allows you to record your computer screen, webcam, and microphone. Limited editing features. Kaltura is available within Canvas under My Media and DU MediaSpace.
• Kaltura Capture allows you to record your computer screen, webcam, and microphone.
• WeVideo – A web-based video editor designed for non-video professionals that’s easy to use. DU has a few student licenses.
• Adobe Creative Cloud software: DU Students, staff and faculty members now have access to this suite of Adobe software.
• iMovie – Mac 
• Camtasia Studio – Free video editor – 30 day trial for PC and Mac
• Blender: Free and open source 3D creation suite.
• PowToon – An online animated video software for both Mac and PC. Not free.

Video Tutorials

• Making a digital story video using iMovie
• Making a digital story video using WeVideo
• Vimeo Video School
• Video Story Guide
• Tips for marketing videos

Affordable and royalty-free audio clips

• Videvo video clips
• YouTube Audio Library
• ccMixter
• PartnersInRhyme
• Incompetech
• Bensound
• Global Sound Promotion
• Free Music Archive

The DU Digital Media Center has professional video and audio software for students. They are located in the Anderson Academic Commons and are normally open when the library is open.