Body
Overview
This article is intended for university staff, faculty, and external clients who are creating content for Coursera. It covers best practices for developing content, preparing a recording location including selecting a space and setting up the background, setting up equipment including Zoom, camera, and microphone, and on-camera presence tips such as what to wear and reminders before recording.
Table of Contents
Recording your own content is an exciting journey! The IT Solutions Video Team is here as your trusted professionals to equip you with the right tools and help you feel confident throughout the process. You plan and record your own content, while our team edits and polishes the final piece and consults with you throughout the whole process.
This guide is designed to make your recording experience smoother and help you deliver the best final product for your students. It covers best practices for setting up your equipment and recording high quality videos using a combination of our video kit and Zoom recording software.
Help and Support
We’re always here to help! For questions or feedback, email us at itscomm@mnsu.edu.
Submit a Sample Before You Begin
If you haven’t already, please send us a short sample lecture video, including your slideshow to itscomm@mnsu.edu. We’ll review it and provide helpful feedback before you begin recording your full content.
Developing Your Content
Spend time planning and creating high-quality content to present in your video, Consider what you’ll say and any visuals you’ll present on screen. Keep in mind the viewers' perspective and think about what will keep them engaged.
- Keep videos short: Short videos help keep the viewer engaged. The recommended video length is around 2-3 minutes long. At maximum, your video shouldn’t exceed 10 minutes.
- Keep content clear: Focus on clear and digestible content for each video. Present information in a logical order.
- Create eye-catching slides: Include key information and supporting visuals, like photos or illustrations. Keep text limited and don’t over-clutter the slides.
- Appear on camera during slides: While presenting slides, show yourself on camera to make it a more personable experience for the viewer.
- Stay on brand: Keep language, slides, and visuals on brand for Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Content Examples
View samples of finished courses below:
Slide Examples
Preparing Your Recording Location
Choosing a Location
A well‑chosen space helps keep the focus on your content, not distractions in the background. Use these tips to select a room that supports clear audio, clean and professional visuals, and a comfortable recording experience.
Select a room that is:
- Well-lit with plenty of indoor lighting.
- Quiet with little background noise.
- A neutral space with blank walls and minimal décor.
- Examples include a tidy home or work office.
Avoid a room that is:
- Large and empty, this creates echoes.
- Prone to noise, like street sounds, music, or other people.
- An overly cluttered or visually distracting space.
- Examples include cluttered bedroom or a big, open classroom.
Creating a Quiet Space
There are many everyday sounds we tend to tune out, but microphones pick them up clearly. Before you start recording, here are a few simple steps to help create a quiet space for high-quality recording.
- Close doors and windows.
- Turn off air conditioners, heaters, fans, diffusers, air purifiers, etc.
- Use a stationary chair and avoid chairs with wheels, swivels, or soft cushions that can creak or shift.
- Silence phones, computer notifications, and smart speakers.
- Let others nearby know you’re recording to minimize interruptions or unexpected noises. Consider pets or other noises.
Setting Up Your Background
A clean background helps the viewer focus and ensures your content looks professional, consistent, and on brand. Here are a few key pointers:
- Keep the background clean and simple; neutral colors and minimal decor are best.
- Ideas include positioning yourself in front of a wall with tasteful decor, a minimalist bookshelf, or a cozy corner of your workspace.
- Consider adding simple artwork, plants, or books in the background to make the space feel welcoming and alive.
- Avoid overly bright or distracting colors, patterns, or decorations.
- Remove family photos or personal objects you wouldn’t want online.
- Keep the background the same in all your recordings.
Background Examples
Setting Up Your Equipment
Configuring Your Zoom Settings
- On your laptop, open Zoom and log in.
- Click your profile in the top right corner and click Settings.
- Configure HD video:
- Click Video & effects.
- Ensure HD video is turned on.
- Configure recording settings:
- Click Recording.
- Scroll to the Recording preferences section.
- Turn off Show participants names, Include timestamp, and Record video during screen sharing.
- Configure display settings:
- Click Meetings & webinars.
- Scroll to the My video section.
- If you want to appear on screen during your PowerPoint presentation, turn off the setting for Hide your own video from the gallery. If you don’t want to appear on screen, turn it on (this is a common choice).
- Ensure recordings save to the external hard drive:
- Click Recording.
- Next to Storage Location, select Change.
- Under the Locations list, choose the hard drive called Coursera. Then, select the folder called Zoom Recordings (located under the Coursera Course folder, then the Footage folder).
- When you’re ready, start a new meeting. To start recording, click the Record button on the bottom navigation bar.
Kit Equipment Glossary
The kit includes everything you need to record high-quality content. We’ll meet with you to help set it up for the first time. When you’re finished recording, make sure all items are back in the suitcase before returning it.
- Logi Webcam (MX Brio): Small, high-quality camera that plugs into your computer and can either be placed directly on your computer or on the tripod stand.
- RODE Mini Microphone: High-quality microphone that plugs into your computer.
- RODE Microphone Base
- RODE Microphone Cord
- Ring Light: A circular lighting device that provides even lighting and reduces shadows.
- Ring Light Base
- Ring Light Stand
- Ring Light Phone and Webcam Adapter
- Webcam Stand: A telescopic stand to mount the webcam on.
- Webcam Stand Base
- Webcam Stand Phone and Webcam Adapter
- External Hard Dive Storage SSD Samsung 1 TB: A secure storage device that plugs into your computer. Your recordings will be saved on it.
- USB Hub: A device that allows you to plug multiple devices into a single USB port, such as your ring light and external hard drive.
- Cable USB-C to C: A cable to connect your computer to the external hard drive.
- Cable USB-C to A: A cable to connect your computer to the external hard drive.
- Black Suitcase: A hard-sided storage case to keep the equipment safe.
Setting Up Your Camera
- In the kit, locate the Logi Webcam (MX Brio) camera.
- Mount the camera either on your computer, or on the Camera Stand in the kit.
- On your computer, open Zoom and sign in.
- Start a new meeting.
- On the bottom navigation bar in the Zoom meeting, locate the Video button and select the small carrot icon to open video settings. Select MX Brio as the camera.
- Follow camera placement tips:
- Ensure the camera remains steady by placing your laptop, or the tripod, on a stable surface.
- Position the camera at eye level. Use books to elevate a computer. If using a tripod, adjust the height. Avoid angles where the camera lens is looking up or down on you.
- Make sure there are no object interfering with the edge of your camera frame.
- Sit close enough, but not too close that it feels uncomfortable, roughly an arm's length away from camera. See the Framing Example section below for an example of how you should look on camera.
- It’s best to keep the camera position in the same place for the duration of your videos. If you’re tearing down the equipment between multiple recording sessions, take a photo of your camera placement and mark the location of your laptop or tripod and chair with blue tape. Use these references to match the same positions next time you set up.
Framing Example
Configuring Your Lighting
- If you have windows in your space, record in daylight if possible.
- Position yourself so you’re facing the windows or your main light sources.
- In the kit, locate the Ring Light and plug it into a power source. Switch the light on.
- Place the Ring Light two to three feet in front of you, with the light facing you at eye-level. (try to match the color that is in your room – usually it be the warm setting))
- Be aware of these common issues:
- Avoid placing light behind you or to your sides, which creates harsh shadows.
- Bright overhead lights might interfere. If you notice your video looks washed out or there are a lot of shadows, try dimming or turning off overhead lights.
- Glasses can cause distracting reflections. If possible, consider not wearing glasses.
- It’s best to keep the lighting in the same place for the duration of your videos. If you’re tearing down the equipment between multiple recording sessions, take photos or note down your window or indoor light configuration, and mark the location of your ring light. Use these references to match the same positions next time you set up.
Setting Up Your Microphone
- In the kit, locate the RODE Mini Microphone.
- Plug the microphone’s USB cable into your computer.
- In the Zoom meeting, locate the Audio button and select the small carrot icon to open audio settings. Select RODE NT-USB Mini Microphone as the microphone.
- Position the microphone about a foot away from you and angle it toward your mouth.
- Ensure the microphone is working properly:
- Make sure you’re not muted on Zoom by checking the Audio button in the meeting.
- Check that the white lights on the microphone are lit constantly.
Equipment Examples
On-Camera Presence
Best Practices for Confident Delivery
Now that it’s finally time to hit record, brush up on these tips to help you appear your best on camera and support our editing team.
- Check your posture: Maintain a comfortable but poised posture, sitting up straight and relaxing your shoulders.
- What to do with your hands: Keep hands to your side, or place them gently in your lap or folded in front of you. Avoid distracting hand movements and crossing your arms.
- Avoid too much body movement: Avoid swaying your body forward and backward or left to right as it is distracting. If you’re standing, apply tape to the floor to mark where to stand—this helps with consistency.
- Talk clearly to the camera: Always look directly into the lens, speak slower than you would in person, and annunciate clearly.
- Pause and smile: Pause, count to three in your head, and smile! Do this before starting your delivery, after finishing your delivery, and before stopping the recording. This ensures our editors don’t cut you off.
- Start and end definitively: Begin and end each sentence confidently. Avoid starting your delivery with phrases like “so,” or “um.” Avoid ending your delivery by trailing off or with upward intonations, like you’re asking a question.
- Consider using a teleprompter: Using a teleprompter can help with confidence when speaking and minimizes the need to look up and down from your computer screen. A few we recommend include CuePrompter, PromptDog, and Promptsmart; we can help you set it up.
- Keep recording during mistakes or transitions: There is no need to stop and start the recording after mistakes, our editors will trim everything as needed. If you mess up, just take a pause and re-do the sentence. If a noise interrupts you, such as a police siren, other voices, or dog barking, be sure to pause and wait, then re-do the sentence. If you’re transitioning to slides, take your time to share your screen and pull up the document correctly. You can even note mistakes or transitions aloud to the camera if you’d like, which may help our editors later.
Deciding What to Wear
Generally, it’s best to dress as if you were teaching in person. Here are a few extra things to look out for.
- Fit: Avoid too tight, too loose, or wrinkly clothes.
- Patterns: Avoid distracting patterns, like stripes, plaids, and polka dots.
- Colors: Avoid overly bright colors, all white and all black outfits, or colors that blend in with your background.
- Logos: Avoid visible labels, logos, text, and images on clothing. You can wear MSU gear that’s appropriately branded.
- Accessories: Avoid distracting shiny fabrics and jewelry. Avoid noisy accessories, such as dangle earrings, that could interfere with your audio.
Tips and Tricks
- If possible, ask a colleague, friend, or family member to assist you while your record.
- Always do a short recording test to make sure the camera and microphone are working correctly. Be sure you can see and hear yourself clearly.
- Have water handy for clearing your throat. Only drink between recordings, not during.
- To fix a dry mouth, try taking a bite from an apple.
Ready, Set, Record!
Once you’re all set up, place these important reminders nearby for a quick check before you hit record.
- Silence Distractions: Close doors, silence devices and notifications, and turn off fans or other noise.
- Posture and Framing: Sit up straight. Make sure you’re appearing in the center of the frame and nothing is cut off.
- Pause and Smile: At the start and end of your recording, pause, smile, and silently count to three in your head.
- Look at the Camera: Make direct eye contact with the camera throughout the entire recording.
Still Need Help?
For questions or support, reach out to the IT Solutions Video team by email at itscomm@mnsu.edu.