More on video assignments
1. Tools to record and edit video
In most cases, filming on your phone or via a webcam inbuilt in your laptop or computer is a good option. For editing, you have access to some free basic tools through FLO (note: these are accessible only if you are submitting via My Media), and your personal devices may also come with software for video editing.
To help you stabilise your phone for filming, mobile compatible tripods are available for loan from the Central Library.
| Type of video | Options for creating and editing |
Help resources |
|---|---|---|
| A simple "present to camera" style video You or your group to talk directly to camera, and the footage will only need basic editing |
If your assignment will be submitted via My Media Options for editing may include:
|
Refer to the help videos on the main video assignment page for how to upload videos from Apple iOS and Android devices into My Media. Learn how to use the Desktop Recorder and more about editing video in MyMedia How-to guides for editing with iMovie on Mac, iPhone and iPad are available here. |
| A narrated presentation video You've created slides and want to add narration and export as a video |
For either submission method (My Media & embed, or file submission) PowerPoint on both Mac and PC have this functionality built in. You’ll need to use a device with an inbuilt mic. Mac's Keynote application also provides these tools. But, Keynote only allows you to export a video as an .m4v file. Depending on how your topic teaching team have set up the assignment submission, you might need to convert the file type before submitting. If the submission method is to upload to My Media then embed the link, you shouldn't need to convert it. If the assignment uses the standard file upload method, you'll need to convert it first - check out the information on using Handbrake on Mac to do this. |
How to add narration to a Powerpoint Turn your Powerpoint into a video on PC and on Mac Video tutorial: Create a movie file from Keynote |
| A narrated screen recording You want to record other content on your screen (a website, software, document images etc), add narration and export as a video |
If your assignment will be submitted via My Media If you have a computer / laptop with an inbuilt mic, you can use the free Desktop Recorder (part of the FLO video platform) to record any content on your screen, while you narrate. Then, upload this straight into your My Media in FLO, and use the My Media editing tools to chop/trim before submitting. If your assignment will be submitted via file submission PowerPoint has a screen recording function that lets you record & narrate content on your screen outside of PowerPoint (e.g. websites, other software, images, documents). You can then do some basic trimming & cutting of the recording and save the recording as a video file. |
Learn how to use the Desktop Recorder and more about editing video in MyMedia Record your screen in PowerPoint |
| A practical skills demonstration or live scenario You need to film some ‘live action’ and then do additional editing, like adding voiceover, annotations or splicing in other content like slides/graphics, etc. |
For either submission method (My Media & embed, or file submission) If you need to move around to film the 'action', it's best to film on a mobile device like a phone or tablet, rather than a webcam. For editing your footage, you’ll probably need access to more sophisticated editing tools than what’s available in FLO. If you have the following devices available to you or your group, here’s some options:
|
How-to guides for editing with iMovie on Mac, iPhone and iPad are available here. |
| A recording of you or a group presenting in a teaching space, including recording the lectern and screen, etc |
Most lecture theatres & some tutorial spaces are equipped with the University's lecture capture system, which includes a ceiling mounted camera and lapel or handheld microphones. This means you can film the teaching space, including the presenter/lectern area, the screens, and if applicable to the teaching space, whiteboards and the document camera. The recording system can be activated via a USB, which you should bring along. This could be an option if you don't have access to other devices to record footage on. |
If you're interested in this option, you'll need to:
|