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FILA 150 Adulting Class Guide

Some Considerations

Some Things to Consider:

  1. Allow yourself enough time to create your multimodal project. Graphics and videos can seem really easy to put together, but actually consume a lot of time.

  2. Be sure to include the goals/purpose of the project at the beginning so viewers know what to expect.

  3. If you choose to create a video, consider adding a transcript, as it will increase your video's accessibility.

  4. You may also want to consider how to make your resource accessible for individuals who are colorblind or otherwise visually impaired. 

  5. If you use any images/graphics be sure that you have permission to use them and cite them correctly. For more information on citing images, click here.

Did You Know?

The Forrer Learning Commons has several spaces and resources that might make the creation of this digital project much easier:

  • Visit the Audio room to record a voiceover for your video. The Audio Room has all the technology you need to create and edit the perfect audio. Reserve the Audio room here.
  • Visit the Presentation room to record yourself. Consider doing something like a "news bulletin" about the Developmental Trend, Prominent Theorist, or Theoretical Perspective that you have chosen. Reserve the Presentation room here.
  • The Forrer Learning Commons rents out media equipment for your use, including audio-recording equipment, cameras, videocameras, tripods, microphones, etc. Reserve equipment here.
  • The Macs outside the Learning and Services Suite are a great place to create and edit digital media. Consider using them to create a digital poster or infographic through Canva.

What's great about all of these resources is the fact that you are in very close proximity to the Digital Scholarship Gurus (and me!), so if you have any questions, feel free to ask at the desk for one of us.

Tips for Creating Videos

  1. Consider the goals of the videos—what you want the other students to learn

    1. Be sure not make these too complicated

    2. Only want to focus on 1-2 concepts in each video (video length should be 5 minutes max but 2-3 is better)

  2. Put together a script (Word document). Stick with a conversational style that will be understandable to your audience.

  3. Using the script as a model, “story board” what you will record. What websites or Apps will you want to film in what order? What examples will you use? Refer back to your goals for the video—are they still clear? Is your video becoming too long?

  4. Do a practice run without filming—identify “scenes” for filming. It is better, if possible, to break the filming up in chunks and then stitch these clips together when editing the film. It saves time, in case you mess up.

  1. There are two ways to approach the filming of video/audio

    1. Record the audio at the same time as the video – this is good if you want to keep a conversational style, and plan on ad-libbing a bit. It can take less time than version two, but:

                 i.You will need to be comfortable with your ums, ahs, and mistakes. Trying to have perfect audio with this style is impossible.
                 ii.You will need to transcribe what you say for close captioning, which can take time.
       

    2. Record the videos without any sound and add voiceovers for each clip later. This can allow you to read more easily off of a script, so you can have a more professional sounding video. But, it can take more time because you are having to record the audio/video separately. A few things to keep in mind:

i.Always record your videos longer than you think you will need – it is easier to clip out seconds, than to add more

ii.Use “dead air” in the narration to help you identify areas (like when an application is loading) that you can clip out. Don’t talk over them, and end up being a head or behind what is happening on the screen.

  1. Take some time to practice recording your audio

    1. You may need to adjust the sound levels depending on the quality of your microphone

    2. What kind of background noise might the microphone catch? What audio editing options does the software give you? Can you balance the volume? Or, reduce background noise?

  1. Once you have the audio/video together, then add any “call outs,” screen highlights, or transitions, if you software allows for them. Use these sparingly, and only in instances where you need to call your audience’s attention to something important. Some software allow you to add transitions (like with PPT slides) though they may look cool, they can add unnecessary dead time to your video, and can appear amateurish.

  2. Once you have your video finished, then you need to think about how you are going to provide closed captioning for viewers who cannot hear the audio, or do not have access to speakers.

    1. If the software does not have a closed captioning option, see about posting a transcription of the video so the viewer can follow along. I would include occasional timestamps (like line numbers in poetry) so the viewer can sync the transcript with your video.