You are planning to (1) record an asynchronous video. You may or may not want to (2) edit that video after you've recorded it. Once you are happy with your video, you plan to (3) distribute it to your students online. What software should you use for each of these steps? The simplest option is to use Panopto for all three steps. However, while this works for many situations, there are times when you may need something more specialized. Below, for each step, is a table of a few options we recommend and some characteristics of each that you can use to compare them and decide what choices are right for you and your project.

Additionally, if you want to go above and beyond and make your own still or animated graphics for your video, we have software options for that too, at the bottom!

Video Recording Software

If you want to use your smartphone, tablet, or computer as your recording device, whether you want to record video from the camera or video of what's happening on your screen, you will need to use software to record. The below table will give you at least one recommendation that should provide what you need.

If you are using a freestanding camera or camcorder device to record, you will not need to use software for this step, as that functionality is built into your camera.

TIP: When you hold your mouse over an entry in the table, you see a blue two-way arrow appear to the left of Software Name. Clicking on that will expand the record so you can read it in its entirety.

FAQ: I was thinking about using Zoom to record my asynchronous video. Why isn't that on your list?

A: The major issue with using Zoom to record asynchronous video is that it is dependent on you having a good internet connection. I personally have excellent internet and still experience freezing about once every hour I spend in Zoom. Even if it doesn't freeze up on you for several seconds during recording, it's likely that you'll have some video lag at some point in your video. There are much better tools to create high-quality asynchronous video recordings that don't have these issues, listed above.

Caveat: If you need to create an asynchronous video in which there are multiple presenters in different locations, Zoom is the best solution I can come up with for this problem. For example, if you are team teaching a topic and want to have a conversation with your west-coast colleague on video for your students to watch, or if you both want to give a presentation together, passing the baton back and forth frequently, for your students to watch.

FAQ: I want to show my face at the same time as I show my writing! How do I record both my screen and my face at the same time?

A: Research has shown that having an image of your face in the corner of a video focusing on another view is actually not good for learning! Students are distracted by your face from the content that you are showing on the rest of the screen. We thus recommend that you do not include video of your face in the corner of your video.

Creating a video with no other images or writing – but rather only a video of your face – is perfectly acceptable! For example, a video in which you introduce yourself, share a personal message with your students, or recap the week is great to see you and only you in. There is nothing else for your face to visually distract from in this case.

Video Editing Software

Once you have all the recordings you want to use, you may need to make some edits. The three most common tasks I see faculty needing to do to edit their educational videos are:

trim the ends of their recording and/or cut out small clips from the middle where they made a mistake or had a coughing fit
splice two or more video files together to make one video
adjust the volume of the audio in their video

Whatever your budget, operating system, and complexity of the edits you need to make, the table below should provide you at least one editing software recommendation.

TIP: When you hold your mouse over an entry in the table, you see a blue two-way arrow appear to the left of Software Name. Clicking on that will expand the record so you can read it in its entirety.

Video Distribution Methods

Once you're happy with your video, you'll need to get it to your students in a way that is easy for them to watch whatever device or internet speed they have. You will also need to be able to attach closed captions to your video for accessibility purposes. Learning from videos is enhanced when students have control over playback: for example, pause, speed of playback, rewind, etc. Lastly, you'll need to get your videos from your distribution tool of choice into your Canvas course. The table below provides you with a few no-cost options that meet all these criteria - use the Pros and Cons to choose which is right for you.

TIP: When you hold your mouse over an entry in the table, you see a blue two-way arrow appear to the left of Software Name. Clicking on that will expand the record so you can read it in its entirety.

Bonus: Software for adding graphics and animation to your video

Need to create your own graphics, or even animated graphics, for your video? This is an amazing goal and requires some next-level skills. Below is a list of some of our recommended software to use.

TIP: When you hold your mouse over an entry in the table, you see a blue two-way arrow appear to the left of Software Name. Clicking on that will expand the record so you can read it in its entirety.