Multimedia Instruction

Description:

Multimedia Instruction involves the use of diverse types of media such as text graphics, video, and interactivity to convey an instructional message. It is the foundation of many online and blended courses as it is an effective and personalized method of delivering instruction.

Possible Instructional Uses:

  • Create a lecture video and instruct students to watch the video before meeting for a face to face class. Utilize class time to dive deeper into the content through active learning strategies.
  • Create a lecture video and post for your online courses to provide an introduction and overview of each module’s content.
  • Instruct students to respond to a discussion topic via video to increase engagement and social presence.
  • Utilize Youtube or Linkedin Learning to find videos to share with students that support learning goals.
  • Create an instructional video to introduce students to the course layout or to walk through steps of how to utilize a tool.

WCU Supported Tools:

Software to create multimedia instruction:

Video hosting sites:

Video libraries:

Tips for using Multimedia Instruction:

  • Create short videos, no more than 10-15 minutes long. If you have more information that you need to provide to students that goes beyond 15 minutes, then plan out how you can chunk the content and create multiple, short videos as opposed to one long video in order to keep the students’ attention. Also, creating shorter videos will increase the likelihood that you will update the videos to make improvements, add new research findings, or reference current events.
  • Instruct the students to do something while they’re watching the video. It’s common to recommend to your students to highlight and take notes when reading course material. Watching videos are no different. There are a number of things you can have students do such as taking notes while watching the video and submitting them as an assignment. You can also create skeleton notes or questions that the students have to fill in while watching the video. Another option is to assign a quiz at the conclusion of the video. The quiz will provide the students with immediate feedback so they can gauge which concepts or problems they need to review. If the students get an answer wrong, you can provide time markers from the video that they need to review.
  • Be sure to develop a script or outline before jumping into the recording phase. One of the most important characteristics of an engaging video is an authentic speaker who speaks naturally. You want to be able to speak at a normal speaking pace and display enthusiasm and both of those things are difficult to do if you have not properly planned.
  • Be in a space that is clear of auditory and visual distractions. Avoid sitting directly in front of a window or other light source. On the other hand, be sure to not use low lighting which could lead to low-quality videos. A tip is place one or two lamps with soft warm bulbs about five feet away from you. Also, when recording be sure to be a quiet space so background noises aren’t distracting and you’re easy to hear. The Office of Distance Education manages the One-Button Studio and Recording Booth that is available for use. 
    • Recording Booth: equipped with a high definition video camera, radio broadcast-quality microphone, and a dual-boot computer with commonly used recording software for both Mac and Windows. Now you can create content for your course with professional equipment and without the noise and distractions from your office or home.
    • One-Button Studio: equipped with lighting, audio, and video equipment. Simply insert a flash drive and press a button to record yourself either with or without a slideshow or in front of a green screen. 
  • Always include and edit captions and/or a text transcript. Video captions serve more than people who have hearing disabilities, such as people learning English, people in gyms, people who are in quiet space without headphones. Both YouTube and Kaltura offer automatic captioning services. All you have to do is review the automatic captions and revise grammar and punctuation as needed.
  • Research-Based Practices: Creating Engaging Videos/Online Lecture