In class Lecture: Delivering Your Content
What and Why of lectures
There are many ways for your students to obtain the content in your course. They can read the textbook, watch You-tube videos, search for information on the internet, or they can listen to your lecture. With so many options, why not just post a ton of resources in your online course and leave students to it?
Your expertise matters. You point out the information that is most important, and clarify what is usually confusing to novice learners. You help them make connections between different concepts. The key to any lecture, and even more so in an online environment, is to be relevant, be engaging, and be brief.
How-to: Online in Canvas (Asynchronous)
Record your lectures using Zoom or screencasting software and embed them in a page in Canvas. Or consider making a podcast, doing an audio only lecture. If you record in Zoom, you can offer both formats to your students. Students can listen while exercising or commuting. Add written context around each lecture: what topic the video covers, what they should focus on, how they will use it in their work. Your students have a short attention span for absorbing new information. ( See some examples from other courses)
Keep your lectures short. Studies show that median engagement time in videos is 6 minutes Links to an external site..
- Break it into chunks. Smaller videos keep the students engaged and make it easier to revisit certain concepts.
- Work from notes or a script. This keeps you on topic. If using slides, they can be your script.
- It doesn't have to be perfect. If you make a mistake, correct it and keep going.
- Speak with enthusiasm. You want to speak clearly, but don't slow down and become monotone. Your enthusiasm for the subject will keep their interest.
- Do some editing. Trim the beginning and the end of the video so students don't see you fumbling with getting your screenshare started and stopped.
Technical considerations
- Make sure your slides are readable. Your students will be watching from a small screen, not via a classroom projector.
- Consider your lighting. Light behind you will put your face in silhouette. Put a light or two in front of you to ensure your face is well lit.
- Use Kaltura. Upload your videos into Kaltura and then embed into Canvas. Canvas has limited video storage, while Kaltura does not. [how to upload to kaltura Download how to upload to kaltura] [how to embed from media gallery] Download how to embed from media gallery]
How-to: Live Sessions (Synchronous)
Your students have a short attention span for absorbing new information. Do not plan to lecture for an hour online. Studies show most students tune out after 6 minutes Links to an external site. unless you prompt them to engage with the content in some way.
If you are using Teams or Zoom Pro, you have unlimited time. If you have a free Zoom account you are limited to 40 minutes. Consider this a feature, not a bug.
No matter which platform you are using, here are some ideas for making effective use of your time and keeping your students engaged.
- Use the 20/20 teaching strategy. Present for 20 minutes and then have your students do an activity. You can use breakout rooms, or send them off to work on their own with a set time to return to the session.
- Stop often to ask questions to assess their understanding and prevent them from drifting off. Try the polling feature.
If you have limited time:
- Bookend 40 minute sessions with pre- and post-class activities done in Canvas and use that live session for things that are best done live.
- Schedule two 40-minute sessions with a 5 or 10 minute break in between.
- You can adapt the 20/20 teaching methodology to 40 minutes with a 15-15-10 strategy--15 minutes lecture, 15 minutes breakout activity, 10 minutes share back to group.
Technical considerations
- Consider your lighting. Put a light or two in front of you to ensure your face is well lit. Light behind you (like a window) will put your face in silhouette.
- Screen share your slides
- Post your slides in Canvas before the lecture. Your students may be watching the lecture from a phone and may not be able to read the slides.
- Record your lecture and post in Canvas after class. Students may have missed the session because of work, illness, or technology issues.
Check out Zoom: Everything you need to know for tips and tutorials on how to manage a live session.