Creating videos for teaching

If you are going to record yourself in Zoom or GU Play, here are some helpful tips and practical guidance.

• Sound is the most important thing. Viewers can tolerate an image that is not perfect, but if they cannot hear properly, they will quickly lose interest. A microphone is useful; perhaps you have a headset with a microphone. Use it if you can. Test it first by making a short recording and watching it, so you know how you sound and how the video looks.
• Eye contact. Arrange the camera on your computer so that it is at eye level. You may need to place the computer on a stable stack of books. For viewers, it is most engaging to see a person who appears to be looking them in the eye. This means that you need to look into the camera while speaking. This helps you create better contact with the audience. The part of you that is closest to the camera will appear largest, so if your camera is in the lid of your laptop, try adjusting the angle of the lid to get a better angle towards your face. Ideally, the camera should be at a right angle to you, or possibly slightly — but only slightly — above you. A good rule of thumb is that viewers should not be able to see your nostrils. If they can, raise the camera position by adding more books. Check how it looks before you start. Sometimes it can help to place a cushion between you and the back of the chair if you are sitting down. This makes it easier to maintain a good angle towards the camera. Alternatively, you can stand up, which also gives your voice better conditions.
• Light. The best option is to have light coming from the front. The second-best option is light from the side. Light from behind is not a good option. Ideally, sit by a window so that you get natural light, but you can also place a lamp behind the computer. If you do not have any extra lamps, you can try increasing the brightness on your computer if you want more light. This last tip does not apply if you wear glasses, as it may create (even more) glare in your glasses, making it difficult for your audience to see your eyes. At the bottom of this text, you will find a link to a guide on how to get good lighting while avoiding glare in glasses.
  
  In Zoom, you can adjust the light in your video if the surroundings are too dark. You will find this function under Video settings by clicking the camera icon. Choose Adjust for low light. Drag the slider to brighten your video slightly when the surroundings are too dark. However, it is always better to add light from an extra lamp, as brightening the image within Zoom may make the image grainy.
• Fill the frame. Or almost, at least. You should fill about one third of the frame, but do not sit too close. If you are too close, you enter the viewer’s private zone; if you are too far away, you become harder to see. Take a small step back from the computer to achieve good eye contact. The light may also improve, as the light from the screen affects the image less when you are a little further away.
• Background. Viewers will also see what is behind you, so there may be things you want to move. In Zoom, you can choose to use a blurred background or an image. We advise against using backgrounds with moving objects, as the viewer’s eye will be drawn to movement, which will distract from your message. You can choose a background by going to Zoom.us > Preferences > Background and filters once you have started the program and logged in.
• Clothing. Of course, you should choose the clothes you think are best for the situation. But if you are interested in how patterns and colours work on camera, keep reading — otherwise, move on to the next point. Some patterns can create a moiré effect that is distracting. Plain-coloured clothes are often a good choice, preferably in clear colours. One tip is to look at how, for example, news presenters dress. It may be a good idea to avoid off-the-shoulder tops, as they can make it look as if you are not wearing anything.
• For those who wear glasses. If you wear glasses and are bothered by glare, you may want to watch the video below. Gia Goodrich is a photographer and shares tips, including advice on glasses. How to Look Good on Zoom with GLASSES

Text by Monika Unander