What Video Production Tips Help Create Engaging Online Course Videos?

What Video Production Tips Help Create Engaging Online Course Videos?

Introduction

Online courses and e-learning programs are becoming extremely popular ways for people to learn new skills, advance their careers, and further their education. It is estimated that the global e-learning market will surpass $370 billion by 2026.

With this massive growth, it has become essential for online course creators to produce high-quality and engaging videos as core components of their educational content. Well-produced videos allow course creators to demonstrate concepts, teach procedures, tell stories, and create an immersive learning experience.

However, creating effective educational videos requires strategic planning and execution. This article will explore useful tips and best practices for developing compelling and instructional videos for online courses, from pre-production planning to filming techniques, post-production editing, and more.

Whether you are an individual course creator or part of a team producing educational videos, utilizing these video production methods can help engage your students and boost the success of your online courses.

Conduct Pre-Production Planning

Thorough planning and preparation in the pre-production stage lays the groundwork for developing polished and functional course videos.

Identify the Video Goal and Objectives

Defining the precise purpose of each video ensures it is designed to fulfill its core educational goal. Videos may aim to introduce new concepts, demonstrate procedures, provide overviews, reinforce lessons, tell stories, etc. Setting clear objectives guides the video development.

Outline the Content

Creating a content outline fleshes out the key points, flow, and sequence of information for the video. Scripting narration word-for-word ensures all details are covered accurately and concisely.

Select Visual Elements

Determine what visuals will best supplement the narration or instructions to help communicate the content effectively. This may involve screenshots, software demonstrations, slides, text overlays, animations, or filmed footage.

Length

Keep videos focused and under 10 minutes to maintain viewer attention and comprehension. Breaking topics into multiple short videos is better than one lengthy video when possible.

Production Schedule

Develop a production timeline accounting for scripting, filming, editing, review, etc. Build in extra time for potential re-shooting or revisions.

Filming Location

Scout suitable filming locations for on-camera footage and tutorials based on visual appeal, lighting, audio conditions, and access to any necessary props or equipment.

Film Style

Decide on the overall style and look based on factors like the course subject matter, target audience, equipment available, etc. This influences choices like camera perspectives, lighting, setting, color grading, and transitions.

Licensing & Permissions

Ensure any software, music, media, or locations included are available for legal use through ownership, licensing, or royalty-free sources.

Set Up Your Filming Equipment

Utilizing proper filming equipment goes a long way in achieving professional video production quality for online courses.

Cameras

Select cameras with sharp image quality and features suitable for the style of video, such as mirrorless or DSLR cameras which have interchangeable lenses, manual controls, and often produce superior image quality compared to smartphones and webcams.

If using a smartphone, use a mount or stabilizer for smooth footage. For stationary product demonstrations, a webcam may suffice.

Lenses

The lens choice impacts the field of view, zoom capabilities, f-stop, and overall image aesthetics. Prime lenses offer excellent sharpness and wider apertures while zooms provide more versatility to frame shots without moving the camera.

Lighting Kits

Proper lighting eliminates shadows or glare and provides sufficient illumination for the filming environment. Three-point lighting with a key, fill, and back light produces professional results. LEDs provide bright, even, controllable lighting.

Microphones

Quality audio is essential for comprehension. Lav mics capture clear voice audio. Shotgun mics pick up focused sound from a distance. External mics often outperform built-in camera mics.

Stabilization

Stabilizers like gimbals or tripods produce smooth, shake-free footage especially during handheld operation or zooming. This prevents distracting camera movements.

Scene Composition

Arrange the set, props, camera position, and actor blocking intentionally for aesthetically pleasing shots that also communicate effectively. Follow the rule of thirds for framing.

Shoot Engaging On-Camera Footage

When filming presenters or demonstrations, follow these tips to create polished footage.

Set Etiquette

Minimize noise, interruptions, and distractions in the scene to maintain continuity and focus for the presenter.

Wardrobe & Grooming

Solid, jewel tone clothing reads well on camera while avoiding busy patterns. Light makeup improves visibility under bright lights. Avoid shiny jewelry that glares on camera.

Camera Presence

Instruct presenters to look at the lens when speaking, avoid blocking their face, stand at an angle instead of straight on, and convey energy through their facial expressions and body language.

Shot Variety

Alternate between wide, medium, close up, and detail shots to provide visual interest while highlighting elements the presenter discusses. Insert relevant b-roll to illustrate points.

Continuity

Maintain consistency in the presenter’s wardrobe, positioning, camera angles, and scene appearance across shots to facilitate seamless editing.

Framing

Follow the rule of thirds, leaving space in the direction the subject is facing. Maintain headroom above the top of the head. Watch the background that it relates to the topic.

Camera Movement

Use subtle zooms, pans, and camera moves intentionally to guide focus, reveal details, or dynamically transition between shots.

Lighting

Ensure even, flattering lighting on the presenter’s face. Add backlights for separation from the background. Adjust lighting between daytime and nighttime shoots for consistency.

Capture Engaging Screencasts and Slide Videos

Post-production screencasting and slide-based videos provide another versatile content medium for online courses.

Screencasting Software

Dedicated screen recording tools like Camtasia or Screenflow offer full editing capabilities, annotations, zooming/panning, and customizability for creating professional screencasts.

Cursor Visibility

Making the mouse cursor larger and changing its color aids visibility as it navigates around a screen recording. Adding keystroke animations further clarifies the actions.

Zooming

Strategically zoom in on key areas of focus in a software demo to showcase details. Use pan effects to keep relevant UI elements on screen while scrolling through a process.

Text & Annotations

Overlaying simple animated text, labels, arrows, and drawings during editing helps direct attention and further explain concepts on screen.

Slide Videos

Export PowerPoint or Keynote slides with narration or add screen recording of slide content to engage viewers with images, text, charts, and graphics synchronized to a voiceover.

Interactive Elements

Include on-screen quizzes, input fields, or prompts for learners to actively respond during a video lesson to improve engagement and comprehension.

Pacing & Cuts

Pace the on-screen actions appropriately with natural pauses between steps. Cut out unnecessary pauses or mistakes to keep screencasts concise and focused.

Visual Variety

Switch between full screen capture, picture-in-picture views, zoomed spots, device frames, and other overlays to maintain interest longform screencasts.

Optimize Post-Production Editing

Polished editing transforms raw footage into a cohesive, professional video ready to engage online learners.

Organization

Log and organize all captured files and assets using a clear naming convention for easy access during editing. Backup all footage.

Sequencing

Arrange clips in the planned sequence and trim length following the pace and order outlined in the script and storyboard.

Continuity

Ensure color grading, tone, lighting, perspectives, and ambience match across different clips edited together through adjustments and effects.

Pacing

Rhythmically pace scenes and clips to keep energy and engagement high. Avoid dragged out sections that lose viewer interest.

Smooth Cuts

Use common transitions like cross dissolve, dip to black, or fade in/out to seamlessly blend clips. Avoid jarring jump cuts between contrasting shots.

Text & Graphics

Insert cleanly designed titles, subtitles, captions, lower thirds, animations, pictures, and text overlays to reinforce key lessons and improve comprehension.

Chroma Key

Use a green screen background while filming then overlay instructor footage over related b-roll or slides to create layered, dynamic scenes.

Color Grading

Enhance visual style through color correction adjustments like temperature, tint, contrast, saturation, and vibrance. Match colors between clips.

Audio Mixing

Adjust audio levels across clips to prevent jarring volume changes. Add ambient music or sound effects at lower volume to smooth edits.

Video Rendering

Export high resolution files at optimal codecs and compression for delivery. Choose platforms and settings balancing quality and file size.

Promote Video Content Effectively

Driving viewership of course videos through savvy promotion gives your hard work maximum impact.

Upload to a Video Platform

Host videos on a centralized platform like Vimeo, YouTube, or a branded course website for simplified access and video analytics. Enable viewer comments for engagement.

Optimize Video SEO

Include target keywords in titles, descriptions, captions, and transcript text to help videos rank in search results. Tag videos thoroughly.

Embed on Website

Add embedded videos to related blog posts, landing pages, program details pages, and anywhere else relevant on a course website to showcase content.

Share on Social Media

Upload natively on social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn to tap into their audiences and built-in video features. Create eye-catching social posts previewing videos to drive viewers.

Email Promotions

Link to new video content from email campaigns, newsletters, and even automated email sequences to notify relevant audiences.

Paid Video Ads

Run paid ads on YouTube, social platforms, and display networks to reach larger audiences interested in the course topic and drive conversions with compelling educational video.

Analytics

Track video view counts, drop-off rates, engagement metrics, traffic sources and other data to guide optimization. Iterate based on insights.

Conclusion

Developing engaging videos provides invaluable opportunities to educate, inspire, and connect with online learners in a multimedia format. By taking a strategic approach from pre-production through post and distribution, online course creators can produce sleek videos that boost student satisfaction, retention, and outcomes. With these video production tips, you can level up your e-learning content and stand out in the competitive online education market. The time investment delivers exponential educational value.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Video Production for Online Courses

1. How important is pre-production planning for creating engaging online course videos?

• Pre-production planning is essential for developing polished and functional course videos. It involves identifying video goals, outlining content, selecting visual elements, determining length, creating a production schedule, scouting filming locations, deciding on film style, and ensuring licensing and permissions.

2. What equipment do I need to film high-quality online course videos?

• You’ll need cameras with sharp image quality, suitable lenses, lighting kits for even illumination, microphones for clear audio, stabilization tools for smooth footage, and proper scene composition for aesthetically pleasing shots.

3. What are some tips for filming engaging on-camera footage?

• Set proper etiquette, ensure wardrobe and grooming are camera-friendly, maintain camera presence, vary shot types for visual interest, maintain continuity, follow framing guidelines, use subtle camera movements, and pay attention to lighting.

4. How can I create compelling screencasts and slide-based videos for online courses?

• Utilize dedicated screencasting software with editing capabilities, ensure cursor visibility, incorporate zooming and panning strategically, add text and annotations for clarity, synchronize slide content with narration, and include interactive elements for engagement.

5. What are some post-production editing tips for enhancing online course videos?

• Organize files systematically, sequence clips according to the script, ensure continuity in visual elements, pace scenes rhythmically, use smooth cuts and transitions, add text and graphics for reinforcement, apply color grading for visual enhancement, mix audio levels, and render videos optimally.

6. How can I effectively promote my online course videos to drive viewership?

• Upload videos to centralized platforms, optimize video SEO with keywords, embed videos on relevant websites, share on social media platforms, promote through email campaigns, run paid video ads, and track analytics to guide optimization efforts.