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Create an Orientation Video for Students and Parents

I’m sure you have a packet that you send to families at the start of every year and when you receive new students. It’s a great resource, but have you ever considered making a video? Benefits may include:

• Increased comprehension and engagement
• Clearly show “How To” processes
• Personal and welcoming first impression

Here, we offer two ways to create your orientation video. The first and simpler way is to put all your content into a PowerPoint presentation then just record it. We also offer suggestions in case you want to go to the next level and incorporate a variety of media.

I’ll just record my PowerPoint, thanks.

I’d like to create a video that incorporates multiple types of media.

Make an Orientation Video with PowerPoint

The easiest way to make an orientation video is to put all your content into PowerPoint, then record the presentation using Camtasia Studio’s PowerPoint Add-in. Since your orientation video may also serve as your first impression and since you may have content that’s difficult to include in a PowerPoint presentation, we included more advanced techniques below.

Tips for creating an orientation video using PowerPoint and Camtasia Studio:

1. The PowerPoint Add-in is installed by default with Camtasia Studio. It is located in PowerPoint 2007’s Add-Ins tab and inserted as a separate mini toolbar in PowerPoint 2003.
2. Create a script of what you want to say. It may sound like a lot of work, but since this video might be a first impression of you, and might even be re-used (or parts of it reused) in the years ahead, a script will help a lot. Writing a script also tends to keep the video more coherent and brief.
3. Some people don’t record audio and video at the same time. It’s a pretty good strategy actually. In this PowerPoint example, one thing you could do is record each slide for just a few seconds. Then, in Camtasia Studio you can extend the duration of each slide as needed as you narrate. If you’d like to try this, check out the Voice Narration tutorial.
4. Learn more about recording PowerPoint presentations.

Make an Orientation Video with a Variety of Media

Here is one way we suggest approaching a video that will involve multiple clips, different content such as PowerPoint, websites, photos and so forth. Here are the steps:

• Prepare the content and script
• IMPORTANT: Determine the video destination and dimensions
• Record your clips
• Combine and edit your clips
• Produce and share your video

Tip: There is a wealth of information at the Camtasia Studio Learning Center.

Prepare the Content and Script

Before even opening Camtasia Studio, make a list of all the topics you want to include. If you already have that “Welcome Packet” you’re in good shape. Next to each item, indicate whether it’s already in a digital format you can record on your screen. Here’s an example list:

Introduction	Digital	I have a couple photos I could show, and I have a “bio” of sorts from last year.
Class Rules	Digital	I have it in a Word document.
Absentee & Make up Work Policy	Digital	I have a school-wide PowerPoint slide.
Grading System	Digital	It’s on the school website.
My Classroom Environment	Not Digital	I’d have to use a video camera and record my room, then get it into Camtasia Studio. Maybe I’ll take some photos since that would be so much easier!
Important Events	Not Digital	I just have to take what I know from my calendar and type it into Word.
Needed Supplies	Not Digital	I’ll have to retype it if I want to record it.
Emergency Plans	Digital	It’s on the school website.

When you look at your list, think of each item as a separate “clip”. We don’t recommend trying to record everything at the same time. In the above example, I would make 8 recordings. Also, while I’d love to make a video of my classroom, getting video from a camcorder into Camtasia Studio is a little more complex, so my plan would be to save that clip for last and see how I’m doing on time. I may just use a couple of photos or drop the clip entirely.

You haven’t opened Camtasia Studio yet, right? There are a couple more things we should do to save a lot of time later.

You can record the clips in any order. Let’s start with something easy—that’s already in digital format. How about The Absentee & Make up Work Policy?

Next, create a script of what you want to say. It may sound like a lot of work, but since this video might be a first impression of you, and might even be re-used (or parts of it reused) in the years ahead, a script will help a lot. Writing a script also tends to keep the video more coherent and brief.

Open the PowerPoint presentation about the Absentee & Make up Work Policy. Look it over and draft your script.

IMPORTANT: Determine the video destination and dimensions

It’s almost time to start recording, but there is one ultra-super-critical decision to make! We have to decide on our video dimensions. This article will really help if you’re unfamiliar with standard dimensions & aspect ratios. The goal is to avoid “black bars” or “squishing” of the video. Please check out this explanation of dimensions and aspect ratio.

Ok, once you’ve read enough. Time to fire up Camtasia Studio.

Record your clips

1. Start Camtasia Recorder.
2. Click Custom.
3. Type your dimensions in the box shown above. It should be 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio.
4. Lock the chain icon to the right of the dimensions. This will lock the aspect ratio so as you drag the region to any width and height, your video will scale nicely.

5. In PowerPoint, drag the recording area to include your slides. With aspect ratio locked, you don’t have to worry about the video becoming distorted during production. Why would you record your PowerPoint presentation at some size in the Preview mode as opposed to launching the presentation and recording in full screen? You could do that, but if your various clips are at different size dimensions, it can make editing tricker. If possible, it's easier if all your clips are recorded at the same dimension.

6. Click Record and read your script as you go through your slides.

7. Press F10 to stop recording.
8. Preview and Save your video clip with a descriptive name.

9. Repeat for next topic and create the rest of your clips.

Combine and edit your clips

1. Import all your clips into the Clip Bin.

2. Drag the clips to the timeline in the order you want them to appear in your final video.

3. A dialog appears when the clip is dragged to the Timeline. Select the Web preset (recommended) and apply SmartFocus to automatically add some Zoom-n-Pan keyframes. You can edit those keyframes or add more later.

4. Edit your video, insert transitions or callouts and preview your video before you send it.

5. Add markers if you want a table of contents in your video.

Produce and share your video

1. When are you done editing, produce your video. Keep the same dimensions or at least the same aspect ratio at which you edited!

2. Share with students and parents.

Download a free copy of Camtasia Studio

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