Record and Edit a Video
- Technology & Software
Last modified: April 30, 2025
Videos are one way for instructors to disseminate lessons, deliver instruction, or create instructor presence in an online course.
Best Practices
- Keep it short – 10 minutes or less is the optimal time for an instructional video. Consider cutting longer material into multiple videos.
- Use a script or outline – Scripting makes captioning easier and helps you stay on topic, spend your time on the important concepts, and avoid filler words and sounds.
- If filming with your device, turn it horizontally during filming.
- Find an editing tool that you can use to cut out mistakes so that you don’t have to start over every time you mess up. We recommend Screenpal (see below).
- Caption your videos – Captions help all students, and according to ADA regulations, you need have captions. For scripted videos, you can just upload it! For unscripted videos, Screenpal has excellent auto-captions that require only a little editing.
CELT Resources
- At UAS, you have access to pro versions of both Zoom and Screenpal for recording and editing video.
- To use Zoom, all you need to do is log in with your Single Sign on credentials (UA). You can record even if you are the only one in the meeting. If you just want to record a class session with minimal editing, Zoom will probably suffice.
- To set up your "pro" account in Screenpal, sign in with your UA "google" account via the Screenpal registration page. You'll get a notice that you've been invited to join the "UAS team." Accept and click through to find your account
- We recommend setting up a Screenpal account for pre-recording videos and accessing better tools than those Zoom provides.
- You can also upload directly to Youtube from Screenpal if you are using the Screenpal app.
- The CELT office in Juneau (Egan 103) has the following hardware that you can use:
- professional lighting
- phone tripods
- webcams
- microphones
- green screen for recording
- Other CELT webpages:
- Caption Your Videos - Learn best practices and methods of captioning
- Tech Toolbox - Find the tools that are available for recording and editing videos
- CELT video tutorials:
- Printable At a Glance Guide to making instructional videos