Knowledge clips
Video is a great way to get students engaged and involved, to activate them, and to pimp up your course. They give you a chance to present information ‘just right’, well thought out and uninterrupted. It offers students essential information on a topic, packaged in an accessible chunk that they can watch and re-watch when needed. A good knowledge clip requires some consideration and the right preparation. To get you started, we've collected the most valuable tips, tricks and online applications for you.
We get lots of questions about how to make knowledge clips. This page will give you both tips on how to make a good quality educational video and guides on how to use the video tools.
Choose one specific topic for your knowledge clip. A knowledge clip allows you to explain a complex concept, theory, process or formula to students. If you want to discuss several topics, make different clips for each topic.
Videos have the most impact on students when they don't last too long. A knowledge clip usually lasts around 10 minutes.
Start your video by telling your students what they will learn in this video. Tell about your topic in the middle part and use visualization here, like a Powerpoint. End your video with a short summary.
Build in opportunities for students to interact with the material to keep them engaged and focused.
Always offer the opportunity for students to ask questions - either written in Canvas, by mail or during an online lecture.
Good practice
Pitfalls
- Making a knowledge clip or a video is not always the best form of education for the learning goals of your course. So think carefully beforehand whether this medium is the best option for you.
- Making good knowledge clips takes a lot of time and effort. The advantage is that the clips can be used for several years. So it does pay off to make a good quality video.
- Knowledge clips alone are not enough as a form of education. Students need interaction and multiple forms of education in order to learn optimally.
Another way to use knowledge clips is to make your (online) lectures or tutorials more efficient and effective. By lifting explanatory parts out of your classes, you create time to interact with students and discuss the material. Students watch the videos in advance and are well-prepared for the class. This model, also known as ‘flipping the classroom”, allows more active classes and deeper learning.
Our step by step guide teaching techniques for knowledge clips takes you through the most important considerations for creating knowledge clips.
Step by step teaching techniques for knowledge clips
Different types of knowledge clips:
Want to see examples of these different types of knowledge clips? Then clip on the button below!
We have had many people asking us how they need to use the video tools. That's why we have written step by step guides on how to make videos yourself. We will describe 4 different ways here.
1. Making videos at home with Kaltura
This first guide is on how to use the video tool Kaltura. The VU recommends using this tool: Step by step guide on making videos with Kaltura Links to an external site.
Rather see a video about it? This one is on how to get you started:
This video shows you how to record videos with Kaltura:
And this one shows you how to make that video visible to your students:
2. Making videos at home without Kaltura
But we have also had people looking for other methods than Kaltura. For these people we have written an alternative guide using Zoom: Step by step guide on making videos without Kaltura
3. Making videos at the VU
Options 1 and 2 were on how to make videos at home. But the VU also offers the possibility to record your video in a Studio Classroom. You can rent a Studio Classroom at the VU for free. There are student assistants present to help with the technology, but it is expected that you do most of the work yourself. More information about Studio Classrooms and where to rent one can be found here:
4. Don't want to make videos yourself?
Above options are guides on how to make videos yourself. But the VU Education Lab and the AVC can help you by providing advice, up to doing everything for you. Go to the Pop-studio or AVC tab on this page for more information.
Example 1: Introduction vlog
Example 2: Slides + talking head
Example 3: Produced by AVC with Green Screen lite option. More examples can be found here.
| Type | Purpose |
| Icebreaker | Creating a sense of presence |
| Getting a grip | Showing links between and within courses and/or disciplines |
| Providing a unique perspective | Starting a discussion |
| Demonstration | Showing and telling by tearing down apart processes |
| Interviews, discussions, TED-talks, documentaries | Presenting intellectual exchanges |
| Showing 'real' applications of abstract knowledge | Providing real world connections |
| Imitation | For example: learning how to use software, to perform in a lab, to do an interview, to make Canvas student friendly |
| Reflection | Encouraging reflection |
Please help us collect inspiring examples. If you have an interesting example to share, or if you come across an example worth sharing, please tell us by filling out this Contact Form Links to an external site.. Your help is much appreciated.
Want to make more professional knowledge clips?
Make them in the pop-up studio of the VU Education Lab. Here you can film in front of a green screen with an autocue and with professional lighting. And best of all: you will get assistance in every step of the way completely free of charge! Set up an appointment now:
The AVC team of video professionals can support you in, for example, creating web lectures, knowledge clips and instruction videos. For knowledge clips, we will check your script or help you create it. You can also call on us for customised work such as animations or location recordings. Please take note that the AVC needs to charge you for their work.
Greenscreen lite
Easy knowledge clip. After an intake interview you will deliver a script and a Powerpoint on which we will give feedback from our field of expertise. After agreement we will go into the studio and make the recordings in front of a green screen. Here you will receive directions and if necessary an autocue to read the text. After the recordings we make a montage with a simple design (intro, outro and possibly logos). See examples of these video's here. These video's can also be made at the Pop-up studio of the VU Education Lab Links to an external site..
Greenscreen Medium
After an intake interview you will deliver a script and a powerpoint presentation on which we will give extensive feedback from our field of expertise. You will have to think about clarity, structure and possible examples. If necessary, we will help you collect the images for the powerpoint and the backgrounds that we project on the green screen. In the studio you will receive guidance in presenting and we can adjust small things if necessary. After the shots we will make a montage and there will be more time for the design.
Greenscreen XL
After an intake interview you will deliver a script and a powerpoint presentation on which we will give extensive feedback from our field of expertise. You will have to think about clarity, structure and possible examples. Together with you we will make the script and powerpoint suitable for the recordings and we will think about the suitable backgrounds that we project on the green screen. In the studio you will receive guidance in presenting and there is room for extra shots. We make a montage with extensive design and possible extras such as animations, short inserts or a voice-over.
Custom made products
If your question does not fit in one of the offered forms, we will be happy to discuss with you how we can realize your request in the best possible way. You can always contact us for consultation.
Mediasite video registration promotion/oration:
With our specialized equipment we record your promotion or oration. This has the advantage that the presentation with the slides is recorded on a separate channel next to the video recording in the hall. After a simple editing we make it available for you.
Web lecture standard
If you want to record your lecture including your presentation we will come with our specialized equipment and record the lecture including your presentation/slides. After a simple assembly we make it available for you and your students on canvas. Maximum two hours.
Web lecture standard evening
Same as the standard web lecture, only with a small surcharge for the evening.
Web lecture long
For web lectures longer than 2 hours.
Power lecture in the studio
If you want your weblecture to look more professional than in a lecture hall, we offer the powerlecture. In the studio we will record a pithy lecture with you in a maximum of 30 minutes. You provide the text and slides and we make HD recordings in our perfectly lit studio for a neutral background.
Video tools
Kaltura
- Share video's with teachers and students
- Embed videos in announcements, assignments or discussions
- Fully integrated in Canvas (My Media & Media Gallery) and accessible via video.vu.nl
- Includes KalturaCapture desktop recording software, but Camtasia is the better alternative
Interactive video
- Make your content interactive
- Add questions and comments to any video
- Support discussion
- Dashboard with analytics
- Grade a discussion assignment
Zoom
- Organise video meetings for up to 300 people
- Chat, share screen or record your meeting
- Schedule a zoom meeting via Canvas
- 49 participants visible at the same time
- Use breakout rooms to facilitate discussion
- Use the whiteboard or polling functionalities to stimulate interaction
Google Apps for education
- Share content
- Collaborate real time
- Give each other feedback
- Make questionnaires and collect data
- Design your own websites
- Do not work with two accounts
There are multiple ways to upload videos to Canvas. If you get the notification that the maximum capacity has been reached, you probably use the option in Modules to upload your video as a file. Unfortunately, this is not the right way. This is a feature of Canvas for which the VU does not have a license. But the VU does have a license for My Media which is integrated in Canvas. Videos can be uploaded there without maximum capacity. However, there is a maximum of 2 GB per individual video. If you want to know how to use My Media, please download the step by step guide at the question below.
How can I upload videos to Canvas?
Step by step guide on uploading videos to Canvas Links to an external site.
How to make my Zoom recording visible to my students?
Step by step guide on making your Zoom recordings visible to your students Links to an external site.
How can I make my videos more activating for students?
Kaltura (aka My Media) has an option to add questions to your video. You can add multiple choice questions, but also reflection question. This last option stimulates students most to really think about what they've just been taught in the video. Let students think of connections by letting them come up with examples, experiences or prior knowledge connected to the new knowledge they just gained. This way the students learn on a higher level.
Want to know how to add questions to Kaltura. Find the step by step guide here under Step 2:
Step by step guide on adding questions to videos in Kaltura (go to step 2) Links to an external site.
How can I make my videos more interactive for students?
The VU offers a new tool named Feedbackfruits Interactive Video. You can upload your video in this tool and students are able to ask questions in the video itself at the corresponding time. Other students can see these questions and can also answer them. This way students can help each other out understanding the course. Students are more likely to ask a question here, then in a Q&A session, because it's less scary to ask it and because they can ask questions right away they don't forget about it. It's also possible for students to add comments, for example when they know an interesting article about the same subject or when they have experienced something similar as in the video. This way students can have discussions about the video and help each other bring their knowledge and understanding to the next level.
Step by step guide on Feedbackfruits Interactive Video Links to an external site.
Where can I get further support for online education?
- Fill out this contact form (Links to an external site.) for questions or to set up an appointment with an expert;
- Or contact your faculty support.
In case the Frequently Asked Questions do not cover your question, please fill out our contact form. Links to an external site.
- Fill out this contact form (Links to an external site.) for questions or to set up an appointment with an expert;
- Or contact your faculty support.
In case the Frequently Asked Questions do not cover your question, please fill out our contact form. Links to an external site.
Want to know more?
- Effective use of video: theory and recommendations (5 pages) - Vanderbilt University Links to an external site.
- How to make online videos yourself - instructions by video by Leuvens instituut voor media en leren (LIMEL) Links to an external site.
- 5 Great uses of video in online courses Links to an external site.
- Video in education Links to an external site.
- Flipping the Classroom Links to an external site.
- Activities and assessment for the flipped classroom Links to an external site.
- Mixed Classroom Model for online education