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Recommendations for Shooting Instructional Videos for MOOC Massive Open Online Courses

Recommendations for Shooting Instructional Videos for MOOC Massive Open Online Courses

Jan 27 2015

MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are undoubtedly the most popular self-learning method today. However, for a MOOC course to be successful, one of the biggest challenges, apart from platform management and course content, is transforming a teacher's daily lectures into attractive instructional videos. Engaging instructional videos have the power to ignite and captivate students' learning enthusiasm and interest. Although video production is a routine task for professionals in the broadcasting industry, for schools, it poses a formidable obstacle. This is primarily because schools have practically relocated an entire television studio onto the campus, resulting in significant budget costs and challenges in program production. This is the current reality faced by many schools. In fact, the production of instructional videos for MOOCs is entirely different from television program production. Below, we present several common production methods with their pros and cons for your reference.

(I) Seven Common Instructional Video Production Methods

(a) Laptop Webcam Recording: Many laptops on the market come equipped with webcams. Paired with screen recording software, instructional videos can be easily created.

[Environmental Requirements] None

[Advantages]

  • Inexpensive and convenient to produce, requiring minimal additional equipment beyond a laptop
  • Videos can be recorded anytime, anywhere

[Disadvantages]

  • Rough visuals, lacking variation in teaching presentation
  • Heavily relies on the teacher's personal charm to capture students' attention

(b) Electronic Drawing Board: The most famous example is "The Khan Academy." With a drawing tablet and screen recording software, the video only shows the input screen with voice narration, keeping the teacher out of the frame.

[Environmental Requirements] None

[Advantages]

  • Clean and simple visuals, allowing students to focus on the instructional content [Disadvantages]
  • Whether the instructor shows their face is a controversial topic in the field of education research, but seeing facial expressions undoubtedly aids communication.

(c) Automated Lecture Recording: Utilizing tracking systems to achieve automatic camera switching, adjustments can be made based on the size of the classroom.

 

【Environmental Requirements】 Standard classrooms are sufficient.

【Advantages】

  • No need for any on-site camera or broadcasting personnel, minimizing disruption to the teaching process for both students and teachers.
  • Fully automated detection and screen switching by the computer system, making it the most time-efficient and labor-saving recording system.

【Disadvantages】

  • Since the system relies on automatic detection, it may lead to errors in judgment if subtle movements go unnoticed or if actions do not align with the software's design logic.
  • The control of camera angle switching is in the hands of the system, not the teacher, which may result in system behavior not fully meeting the teacher's expectations.
  • Numerous suppliers offer such systems with varying quality, posing a higher risk in terms of effectiveness after installation.
  • Complex system installation, higher budget requirements, and elevated maintenance costs.

E-Learning: Similar to an electronic whiteboard, it can project digital teaching materials onto the screen, allowing direct annotation using an interactive electronic pen, making program production easy. 【Environmental Requirements】 Four meters wide, five meters deep.

【Advantages】

  • Clear and high-quality visuals.
  • Only requires the preparation of teaching materials and the presence of the teacher to create instructional videos.
  • Automated equipment, with simple operations by the teacher, eliminating the need for additional personnel.
  • Simplified program production.
  • Recording space does not need to be extensive; a three meters by five meters area is sufficient.

【Disadvantages】

  • Suitable only for recording half-body-sized instructional videos of teachers.
  • Requires a green background for background removal.

Multi-camera Shooting: Utilizes multiple cameras simultaneously capturing various angles, with a broadcasting machine switching between scenes based on real-time needs.

 

【Environmental Requirements】 According to instructional needs.

【Advantages】

  • Can be filmed in any location, not necessarily in a studio.
  • Convenient post-production editing for programs.
  • Highest video quality comparable to television stations.
  • The same equipment can be applied to other large-scale events at schools.

【Disadvantages】

  • Requires a larger workforce.
  • Equipment costs are relatively higher.

Virtual Studio Broadcasting System: Teachers shoot in a studio equipped with a large green screen, using background removal and virtual backgrounds/animations to create various instructional programs. Currently, this type of program production has matured, featuring simple and cost-effective equipment, delivering the best results.

【Environmental Requirements】 Single-setup: Three meters wide, six meters deep; Dual-setup: Five meters wide, eight meters deep.

【Advantages】

  • Demonstrations using virtual objects or animations can make courses in subjects like mathematics, physics, and chemistry more easily understood and absorbed.
  • High entertainment value in visuals, fostering increased interest in student learning.

【Disadvantages】

  • Many virtual studio broadcasting systems in the market are designed for television, making background design challenging and operations complex.
  • Studio and virtual studio broadcasting system equipment are relatively expensive.
  • Longer program production times.