Using Audio and Video

Step 1: Is it Appropriate?

Our ultimate goal is to help create videos that are reusable learning objects that can be reused by multiple professors and classes in a department. ITD provides video equipment, training programs and in some cases, production services for videos that will serve instructional purposes. We welcome proposals from academic departments for video projects that will enhance student learning.

When should you use video?

Video is a powerful tool when you want to bring the real world into the classroom. In order for the benefit to outweigh the time-intensive nature of video, it must be reusable and have a broad application. Video is best reserved for instances where you can use it more than once and hopefully it can be used in more than one class or possibly by more than one department.

Try to think about things you could not possibly bring your entire class to see, but you still want them to experience or see it. Video is also a great tool for documenting a one-time experience that is transient but also has educational value. Good examples of video use might be:

• interviewing a subject-matter expert who is visiting but lives elsewhere
• documenting a temporary art exhibit
• gathering footage of a place that is off-limits for a field trip, like a courtroom, a board meeting, or an art restoration project
• interviewing a variety of local subject-matter experts on a particular topic to form a video panel discussion

When should you NOT use video?

Video is a poor use of resources and time when it will only be used once. Video should not be used as a substitute for students who cannot make it to class. Furthermore, static lectures, or "talking heads" are incredibly boring videos that will not hold your students' attention for more than a few minutes. Poor examples of video uses might be:

• taping your in-class lecture
• taping student presentations
• taping anything that will be used only once
• taping anything that can only be used in one class offering, for one professor

In cases where a lecture needs to be captured, it is much more cost-effective, less time-intensive, and more web-friendly to simply use audio . We have equipment available to record audio directly to CD. Our MARS (Mobile Audio Recording Studio) which will save time over video editing and downloads from the web will be much faster.

ITD Video Services for Instructional Use

• Checkout available for MiniDV video cameras
• Video training opportunities and consultations
• Comprehensive video/audio editing suites in our faculty labs
• Professional video equipment and use of staff for large-scale and broad-impact projects approved by the Director of ITD

ITD Audio Services for Instructional Use

• Checkout available for MARS (Mobile Audio Recording Studio) for recording directly to CD
• Checkout available for MARS2 to record to MiniDisc
• Audio training opportunities and consultations
• Audio editing software and equipment in our faculty labs

ITD does not provide media, such as CDs, DVDs, or MiniDV tapes. The individual and/or department will be responsible for purchasing these items prior to the event.
ITD does not offer equipment checkout or services for non-instructional projects, including marketing efforts or personal projects.

Documentation

Many of the documents available this page are in Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) format. To access these documents, download a free copy of Adobe's Adobe Acrobat® Reader® from Adobe.com.