Recording Your Videos

Keep in mind that your students will need to see and hear your course clearly so your course must meet our audio and video quality standards.

1. Before you begin recording

Before you begin, remember that different courses may require different setups. For example, if you want to record your computer screen and narrate over it, you’ll need a screencast software. If you want to record yourself speaking or demonstrating something, you’ll need a camera and a microphone. You can also use editing software to combine different types of videos after you finish recording.

2. Choose your recording tools

Camera: You can start with the camera on your computer or mobile phone, and see if the quality is good enough. If not, you can buy a webcam or a DSLR camera for better results.
Microphone: Audio quality is very important for your learners, so you should avoid using the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile phone. It’s better to invest in a good-quality microphone that can reduce background noise and capture your voice clearly. You can use a hands-free microphone that attaches to your clothing, or a table-top microphone that sits on your desk.
Screencast software: You’ll need software that can record your computer screen and save it as a video file. Some examples are Quicktime Player, CamStudio, or Jing. Some of them are free and may already be installed on your computer, others may cost some money.
Lighting equipment: You should try to use natural light as much as possible, as it gives a more natural look to your video. If natural light is not enough, you can add some lamps and lights that you have at home. If you want to achieve a more professional look, you can buy a three-point lighting kit that consists of three lights: one main light, one fill light, and one backlight.

You can find our list of recommended tools for every budget here: Recommended Tools

3. Set up your microphone

Your microphone is an essential tool for recording high-quality audio for your course. You should make sure that your microphone is properly connected to your video recording equipment, and that you have the right settings for optimal sound quality. Here are some tips to help you configure your microphone settings:

Check the gain level of your microphone. Gain is a setting that controls how loud the audio input is. If the gain is too high, you may hear a static noise or distortion in your recording. If the gain is too low, you may not hear anything at all. You can adjust the gain level in your microphone settings or in your recording software. Try to find a balance between too loud and too quiet, and test your audio before you start recording.
Check the audio output mode of your microphone. It should be set to stereo, not mono. Stereo mode means that the audio will come out from both speakers or headphones, while mono mode means that the audio will come out from only one speaker or headphone. Stereo mode gives a more natural and realistic sound quality, while mono mode can make the audio sound flat and dull. You can change the audio output mode in your microphone settings or in your recording software.
Speak clearly and directly into the microphone. You should speak with a loud and clear voice, and avoid mumbling or whispering. You should also speak at a distance of about 6-12 inches (about 15–30 centimeters) from the microphone. If you speak too close, you may cause a popping sound or a muffled sound in your recording. If you speak too far, you may have a low volume or an echo in your recording. You can use a pop filter to reduce the popping sound, which is a device that attaches to your microphone and blocks the air from hitting it.
Avoid echo and background noise. Echo is a sound that bounces back from the walls or other surfaces in your recording space, and makes your audio sound distant and hollow. Background noise is any unwanted sound that interferes with your audio, such as traffic, air conditioning, phones, people, etc. To avoid echo and background noise, you should record in a quiet and cozy space, with some soundproofing elements like curtains, carpets, cushions, blankets, etc. You should also pause and listen to your recordings frequently to check for any issues.

Common audio issues and how to fix them:

Distortion: This is a static or buzzing sound that makes your audio hard to understand. It usually happens when the gain level is too high, or when there is some interference from other devices or sources. To fix it, you should lower the gain level of your microphone, or move away from any potential sources of interference.
Background hiss: This is a raspy or hissing sound that makes your audio noisy and unpleasant. It usually happens when you use a poor-quality microphone, such as the built-in microphone on your camera or computer. To fix it, you should use an external microphone with better quality, or use some noise reduction software to filter out the hiss.
Left speaker: This is when the audio only comes out from the left speaker or headphone, and not from the right one. It usually happens when the audio output mode is set to mono instead of stereo. To fix it, you should change the audio output mode to stereo in your microphone settings or in your recording software.
Low volume: This is when the audio is too quiet and hard to hear. It usually happens when you speak too far away from the microphone, or when the gain level is too low. To fix it, you should speak closer to the microphone, or increase the gain level of your microphone.
Muffled sound: This is when the audio sounds dull and unclear. It usually happens when you speak too close to the microphone, or when there is something blocking the sound from reaching it. To fix it, you should speak at a reasonable distance from the microphone, or remove any obstacles that may affect the sound quality.
Pops: This is when there are sudden bursts of air that hit the microphone and cause spikes in the audio waveform. It usually happens when you pronounce words with “p” or “t” sounds, or when you breathe heavily into the microphone. To fix it, you should use a pop filter to block the air from hitting the microphone or speaking at an angle instead of directly into it.

4. Set up your camera

Your camera is a key tool for recording high-quality video for your course. You should make sure that your camera is set to the right recording and export settings, especially for the aspect ratio and the video resolution:

Aspect ratio: This is the proportion of the width and height of a frame. The aspect ratio of your video needs to be 16:9, which is the standard for most online platforms and devices. This will ensure that your video will fit well on different screens and not have any black bars or cropping. You can check and change the aspect ratio of your camera in its settings or in your editing software.
Video resolution: This represents the quality of the video, which is determined by the number of pixels (p) in the frame. Your video resolution must be 720p or higher, which means that your frame has at least 1280 pixels in width and 720 pixels in height. A higher resolution means a sharper and clearer image, but also a larger file size. Some common video resolutions are 720p (1280×720), 1080p (1920×1080), and 4K (3840×2160). You can check and change the video resolution of your camera in its settings or in your editing software.

The aspect ratio and video resolution of your video may depend on several factors, such as the type and model of your camera, the lighting conditions, and the editing software you use. You should always test your camera before you start recording, and check your video file after you export it, to make sure that they meet our standards.

5. Set up your recording space

Your recording space should be comfortable and quiet so that your learners can focus on your video without any distractions. You don’t need a professional studio to create your course, you can do it at home with some simple adjustments. Here are some best practices for preparing your recording space:

Reduce the echo and noise in your room. Echo is a sound that bounces back from the walls or other surfaces in your room and makes your audio sound distant and hollow. Noise is any unwanted sound that interferes with your audio, such as traffic, air conditioning, phones, people, etc. To reduce the echo and noise in your room, you should add some soundproofing elements that can absorb some of the sound. You can use acoustic panels, or you can use blankets, cushions, pillows, couches, or anything soft and fluffy.
Clean up your computer desktop for screencasting. If you want to record your computer screen and show your course content on it, you should make sure that your desktop is tidy and free of any irrelevant or personal content. You should close any unnecessary browser tabs or windows, and hide any icons or files that are not related to your course. You should also choose a simple and neutral wallpaper that does not distract from your course content.
Adjust the lighting for a “talking head” video. If you want to record yourself speaking or demonstrating something, you should make sure that you have enough light in your room, and that the light is coming from the right direction. You should avoid having the light behind you, as it will make you look dark and shadowy. You should also avoid having the light above you, as it will make you look pale and washed out. You should have the light in front of you or on the side of you, as it will make you look bright and clear. You can use natural light from a window, or artificial light from lamps or lights.

6. Compose your video shots

Your video shots should be well-composed and attractive, so that your learners can enjoy watching your course. You should pay attention to the camera placement and movement, and follow some basic rules of composition. Here are some tips to help you compose your video shots:

Adjust the distance and angle of the camera according to your purpose. You should choose the right distance and angle of the camera that suits your purpose and message. For example, if you are creating a “talking head” video, you should imagine that you are having a face-to-face conversation with your learners, and position the camera at eye level and at a comfortable distance from your face. You should avoid being too far or too close to the camera, as it may make you look small or distorted. You should also avoid placing the camera too high or too low, as it may make you look dominant or submissive.
Keep your camera steady and stable. You should use a tripod or a stable surface to hold your camera, and avoid any shaking or tilting movements. You should not try to hold the camera yourself, as it may cause unwanted motion or blur in your video. A steady and stable camera will make your video look more professional and clear.

7. Record a test video

Before you start recording your course, we recommend you to record a test video and send it to us for feedback. The test video is a short 1-3 minute sample video that will help you check if your recording setup meets our audio and video requirements. The test video will also give you some tips on your delivery and presentation skills.

The test video is not meant to be perfect, it is just a way for you to test your equipment and settings, and for us to help you improve them. You can record the test video using the same content and format that you plan to use for your course, or you can use any topic that you are comfortable with. The important thing is that you use the same recording equipment and setup that you will use for your course, so that we can give you accurate feedback.

To send us your test video, please follow these steps:

Record your test video using your camera, microphone, and software of choice. Make sure that your video meets our aspect ratio and resolution requirements, and that your audio is clear and loud enough.
Save your test video as a MP4 file with a file size of less than 100 MB. You can use any video editing software to compress or convert your video file if needed.
Attach your test video file to an email and send it to info@lawra-academy.com. Please include your name and the title of your course in the subject line of the email.
Wait for our reply with personalized feedback on your test video. We will review your test video by a real person on our team, and we will get back to you as soon as possible with suggestions on how to improve your audio, video, and delivery quality.
You can send us as many test videos as you need until you are satisfied with your recording setup. We are here to work with you so that you can feel confident that you have the proper setup to record a high quality course.

8. Get ready to record your course

Before you start recording your course, you should make sure that you have everything you need to create a valuable and engaging learning experience for your students. You should follow this checklist to get you prepared to record:

Have a clear and consistent structure for your course. Your course should be divided into chapters and lessons, and each lesson should have a specific learning objective and outcome. Your course structure should also match the structure of the examination provider if you are creating a course for students who are preparing for external examinations. it should match the school textbook if you are targeting regular school students like SABIS. This will help your students follow along and understand the content better.
Have valuable educational content for your course. You should also make your content engaging and interactive, by using examples, examiner tips, quizzes, past papers, or other methods that can help your students achieve higher in their exams.
Have HD video quality for your course. Your video quality should be at least 720p or 1080p, which means that your frame has at least 1280 pixels in width and 720 pixels in height, or 1920 pixels in width and 1080 pixels in height. A higher resolution means a sharper and clearer image, but also a larger file size. You should check and adjust the video resolution of your camera and your video file before you record and export your course.
Have audio that comes out of both channels and is synced to video for your course. Your audio should be stereo, not mono, which means that the sound will come out from both speakers or headphones, not just one. Stereo sound gives a more natural and realistic sound quality, while mono sound can make the audio sound flat and dull. You should also make sure that your audio is synced to your video, which means that the sound matches the image on the screen. You should check and adjust the audio output mode of your microphone and your video file before you record and export your course.

9. Editing tips

The final stage of the production stage is editing your course. This is your opportunity to fine-tune your recording and create a more polished and professional course. Editing will also help you keep your learners engaged and interested in your course.

Here are some common ways to edit your course:

Remove mistakes and filler words such as ums and ahs. Online learners can lose interest or get distracted easily if your course has too many errors or pauses. You should edit out any mistakes or filler words that you made while recording, and make sure that your speech is clear, concise, and coherent. You should also avoid any rambling, tangents, or long silences that may bore or confuse your learners. The more you prepare your course in advance, the fewer edits you will need to do later.
Add annotations and images to emphasize certain points and improve comprehension. Annotations are text overlays that you can add to your video to highlight key points or phrases, to create lists, or to introduce new words or concepts. Annotations can help you focus your learners’ attention and reinforce important information. You should use bullet points or short sentences to add annotations to your video, but avoid copying everything you say. Images are visual aids that you can add to your video to illustrate or explain something, such as a graph, a diagram, a photo, or a screenshot. Images can help you make your course more engaging and informative. You should import your images to your video editing software and add them to your video where appropriate.
Include slides and visuals to enhance the learning experience. Slides and visuals are another way to present your course content in a more attractive and organized way. Slides are usually used for screencasting courses, where you record your computer screen and show your course content on it. Slides can help you structure your course into sections and sub-sections, and show the main topics and sub-topics of each lesson. Visuals are usually used for “talking head” courses, where you record yourself speaking or demonstrating something. Visuals can help you add some variety and interest to your video, and show some examples or demonstrations of what you are teaching. You can use different types of visuals, such as animations, charts, drawings, or videos.
Add transitions and B-roll to improve the flow of your course. Transitions are effects that you can add between different shots or scenes of your video, such as fades, wipes, cuts, or dissolves. Transitions can help you smooth out any abrupt changes or jumps in your video, and create a more seamless and professional look. B-roll is extra footage that you can add to your video to supplement what you are saying, such as clips of other people, places, or things that are related to your topic. B-roll can help you break up the monotony of your video and add some context and depth to your course.
Add music or sound effects to create a mood or emphasize a point. Music or sound effects are optional elements that you can add to your video to enhance the audio quality of your course. Music can help you create a mood or an atmosphere for your course, such as upbeat, calm, or dramatic. Sound effects can help you emphasize a point or draw attention to something in your video, such as a ding, a clap, or a whistle. However, music or sound effects can also be distracting or annoying if used too much or too loudly. You should choose music or sound effects carefully and deliberately, and make sure they match the tone and purpose of your course.

10. How to export your videos

Before you can upload your course videos to our platform, you need to make sure that you export them in HD quality. HD quality means that your videos have a high resolution and a clear image, which will make your course more professional and appealing to your learners. Simply recording your videos with HD settings is not enough, you also need to export them with the right settings to preserve the HD quality. The right export settings A common problem with videos is that they look blurry or pixelated, even if they were recorded in HD. This happens because your computer reduces the size of the video file by compressing it, which lowers the video quality. To avoid this, you need to adjust the export settings in your recording software, so that your video file keeps its original resolution and aspect ratio. The resolution is the number of pixels (p) in each frame of your video, which determines how sharp and detailed your image is. The aspect ratio is the proportion of width and height of each frame of your video, which determines how well your video fits on different screens. You need to make sure that your export settings are set at or above 720p HD resolution, which means that each frame has at least 1280 pixels in width and 720 pixels in height. You also need to make sure that your export settings are set at 16:9 aspect ratio, which is the standard for most online platforms and devices. You can find and change the export settings in your recording software, usually under the options of “export”, “save as”, or “render”. Different recording software may have different names and options for the export settings, but they should all have the basic parameters of resolution and aspect ratio.

11. Hosting your videos

Before you can upload your course videos to our platform, you need to host them on Vimeo, which is a secure and reliable video hosting platform. Hosting your videos on Vimeo will allow you to control the privacy and permissions of your videos, and prevent them from being downloaded or shared by others without your consent. Hosting your videos on Vimeo will also allow us to have a copy of your videos, in case you decide to delete them from your account or from our platform.

To host your video on Vimeo, please follow these steps:

Create a Vimeo account or log in to your existing one. You can sign up for a free account or choose a paid plan that suits your needs. You can compare the different plans and features on Vimeo’s website.
Upload your video to Vimeo. You can upload your video file from your computer, or import it from Google Drive, Dropbox, or other sources. You can also use the Vimeo app on your phone or tablet to upload your video. You can upload videos up to 500 MB per week with a free account, or up to 5 GB per week with a paid plan.
Edit your video settings on Vimeo. You can change the title, description, tags, thumbnail, and other details of your video. You can also add captions, subtitles, chapters, and cards to your video. You can also trim, crop, rotate, or enhance your video using Vimeo’s built-in editor.
Set your video privacy and permissions on Vimeo. You can choose who can see, comment, embed, or download your video. You can also add a password, hide your video from search engines, or restrict the domains that can embed your video. You can also enable or disable the download option for your video, which will prevent others from saving or sharing your video without your permission.
Share or embed your video on our platform. You can copy the link or the embed code of your video from Vimeo and paste it on our platform where you want to display it.
We may request that our academy access your account as a collaborator to ensure we can access the course material