Guidelines for Recording Lectures in PowerPoint

Benefits of Recorded Lectures

Video lectures provide a wide range of benefits to students and professors, and they are one of the most popular additional resources to include in a textbook package. With video lectures, you can let your students enjoy the process of learning whenever they want in a self-paced setting. Instructors can cover material not included in class, and students can review instructor tutorials as many times as they like.

What is a PowerPoint Video Lecture?

PowerPoint includes the feature to record narration for each slide in a presentation and export the narrated presentation as a video file. A PowerPoint lecture will capture audio or video of a presenter, along with visual materials to support students’ learning experiences, such as slides, a computer screen, and additional secondary resources approved for distribution. PowerPoint lectures can serve as valuable resources for students who need additional help understanding course materials. They can also serve as an effective way to review materials before an exam.

Cognella’s primary method for screen recordings is through use of Screencast-O-Matic software. This allows us to maintain a consistent look and feel across our catalog. Screencast-O-Matic also features a scripted recording option, which provides captioning of the lecture, a requirement for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations. Check out our Screencasts Guide for more information about creating recordings with Screencast-O-Matic software.

However, PowerPoint is readily accessible to many of our authors, and we will accept these recordings in addition to ones made with Screencast.

Selecting Content

Like other study aids, the content is the star! Begin by reflecting on your reasons for creating a recording for your students.

  • What lesson can be learned from a narration that students cannot get from the text alone?
  • What content might students need to review in greater detail beyond the textbook?
  • How can a recorded audio narration contribute to a visual presentation?
  • What visual aids, figures, or examples can be presented within a presentation to support the author narration?

While formatting, style, and execution can elevate a presentation from good to great, the most important feature for students is an organized review of key points from the text. As you begin to write a script, determine what you expect students to be able to demonstrate as learning competencies and select content that supports those goals. Add appropriate commentary that provides additional details beyond the textbook. Cover topics that have proven challenging to students in the past. By developing a strategic approach to provide students a condensed review of the most important topics, instructors can feel confident that students are provided with resources to support their learning success and course engagement.