Instructional Videos

Instructional videos can support student learning in different ways. Creating the best quality instructional videos usually involves planning. Videos can still be effectively created in short time frames when conditions warrant.  Before you invest time learning the tools, think about the following two questions.

Do I need the instructional video?

• Will it help my students achieve the learning outcome?
• Is it redundant to another activity (e.g., reading)?
• Will the video help my students learn? (Please see the common types of instructional videos section below.)

Is there an alternative to creating an instructional video?

Examples include:

• An existing online video
• A short quiz/test
• An essay assignment, a reflection paper, or a minute paper
• A small group discussion

Choosing and Using Video Creation Tools

• Which Video Creation Tool is Right for You?

  There are four university-sponsored video creation tools: Camtasia, Kaltura, Video Express, and Snagit. Use the comparison table below to identify the tool that is most appropriate for your instructional needs.  CELT consultants can also help you decide which tool is right for your teaching and learning goals. 

  Feature	Camtasia	Video Express Room	Kaltura	Snagit
  Record the instructor through Webcam	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
  Toggle instructor video on/off during recording	Not directly. Recorded video can be edited.	Yes	No	Yes
  Record computer screen	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
  Record computer system audio	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
  Record handwriting	With a webcam/ or document camera	Yes	With a webcam/ or document camera	With a webcam or document camera
  Pause and resume during recording	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
  Record from home/office	Yes	No (KT G20)	Yes	Yes
  Cut/trim part of media	Yes	Not directly	Yes	Yes
  Highlight cursor or certain areas of screen	Yes	No	No	No
  Add annotations (e.g., text, arrows, pixelate)	Yes	No, but can be edited in Camtasia.	No, but can be edited in Camtasia.	No
  Upload to Kaltura	Share to computer and upload to Kaltura	Upload right after recording	Upload right after recording	Share to computer and upload to Kaltura

• Camtasia

  Camtasia is a powerful and easy to use screen recorder and video editor. Camtasia features allow you to:

  • Record your webcam.
  • Record anything on your computer screen–websites, software, or PowerPoint presentations.
  • Import existing images, videos, and audio to enhance existing videos or to create new videos.
  • Use the built-in video editor to add enhancement features such as transitions, cursor effects, zoom-and-pan, and highlight.
  • Share your finished video to Kaltura or other sites such as YouTube and Vimeo.

  Download Camtasia

  Camtasia can be downloaded for personal computers by visiting the Purdue University Community Hub. You will use your Purdue Credentials (not PFW) to login. If you do not know your Purdue Credentials, please contact the helpdesk to find your Purdue username and set up Purdue Boiler key. 

  To install Camtasia on your university-owned computers, please contact the helpdesk.

  Visit the Camtasia Vendor Support Page for more resources.

  Edit Videos with Camtasia

  The Camtasia editor allows you to trim and cut video, zoom and pan, and add enhancements, including annotations, animations, interactive effects, and fade in/out.

  Edit the recording

  • Tutorial: Video editing basics in Camtasia (3:52)
  • Tutorial: Editing audio in Camtasia (3:35)
  • Tutorial: Add annotations, callouts, and titles to your videos in Camtasia (2:51)
  • Tutorial: Zoom and pan in Camtasia (3:23)

  Add Captions

  • Tutorial: Add captions to a video in Camtasia (3:19)
• Kaltura

  Kaltura offers two recording options: Kaltura Classroom and Kaltura Capture.  Recordings created with Kaltura are made available through our Purdue Fort Wayne Kaltura Media Vault. 

  Access Kaltura

  • Kaltura Classroom Capture: Record videos in classrooms that are set up with Kaltura Classroom. If you need technical assistance, please submit contact the helpdesk ([email protected]; 260-481-6030) or contact the Kaltura Administrator, Kurt Towsley, at 481-4147. 
  • Kaltura Capture: Record videos from your home or office computer using Kaltura Capture.  To access Kaltura Capture for the first time, login with your PFW credentials to the PFW Kaltura site.  After logging in, click 'ADD NEW' and choose 'Kaltura Capture' from the dropdown list. You will be prompted to download the app. After the first launch, you can launch Kaltura Capture as any other app on your computer.
  • Kaltura Video Playlist for Instructors: [video]

  Edit Videos with Kaltura

  The Kaltura editor allows you to trim and cut video, fade in and out, and add interactive hotspots and questions to your videos.

  Edit the recording

  • Tutorial: Trim, cut, and add fade in and fade out effects using the Kaltura Video Editor. (4:00)
  • Tutorial: Add interactive hotspots using the Kaltura Video Editor (2:25)
  • Tutorial: Add quiz questions to Kaltura videos (8:30)

  Add Captions

  • Tutorial: Create a captions file (2:47)
  • Tutorial: Add the captions file to your video (1:20)

  You can also visit the vendor’s Kaltura Capture Resources page for additional tutorials. 

• Video Express Room

  Video Express (KT G20) is a self-service video recording studio that allows faculty and staff to:

  • Easily record high quality video in a pre-calibrated recording facility.
  • incorporate multiple digital inputs into video, such as PowerPoint slides, movie files, and websites in addition to the video and audio of the presenter.

  Please use the guide to reserve the Video Express Room (pdf) through the Video Express portal.

  If you need assistance or more information, please contact DCS Online Learning at [email protected] or 260-481-6111.

  Note: All academic content created for credit courses using Video Express are currently closed-captioned for free.

• SnagIt

  Snagit allows instructors to create high-quality screen captures from their computers. Captures may be still images or videos.

  Download SnagIt

  • To obtain Snagit (self-supported computer and home request) please visit the Purdue University Community Hub.
  • To install Snagit on your university-owned computers, please contact the helpdesk.

  Edit Media in SnagIt

  The SnagIt editor allows you to trim and cut videos.  Still images may be enhanced within the Snagit tool (e.g., add text, shapes).

  • Tutorial: Create and edit videos in Snagit (2:53)
  • Visit the Snagit Vendor Support Page for more resources.

Need help with instructional videos?

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For technical assistance:

Get Help from ITS

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For Kaltura assistance:

Get Help from ITS

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For teaching assistance:

Request CELT Services

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