Faculty Spotlight: Kim Silbaugh

Creating Instructional Videos for Students using Snap Z Pro
Integrated Arts Approaches in the Curriculum, Spring 2009

Spotlight Poster

Introduction Kim Silbaugh is an adjunct instructor in the Creative Arts in Learning Division. In Spring 2009, she undertook the redesign of her course, GARED 6100: Art Approaches in Curriculum, to a hybrid format. Since this was the first course in a hybrid pilot program, Kim knew that some of the students would be anxious about technology. She also wanted to preserve the welcoming atmosphere in both online and face-to-face course segments.

Timeline

Kim decided to create step-by-step narrated instructional tutorials as a supplement to written instructions that she already provided to her students. She used a computer program called Snap Z Pro to record screen-capture video tutorials and uploaded them into her myLesley course so students could use them for future reference or even download them.

Equipment

• Microphone (~$30)
• Snap Z Pro, Mac Software Program (The free download has limited features)
• Jing is a similar program for PCs and Macs.

Process

In this easy-to-use program, creating a video involved opening and clicking to record a movie. It took a few practice trials with Snap Z Pro, but Kim finally learned that she could create a simple movie that would show students how to complete course pre-assignments. It was so easy, she decided to purchase the entire program! The first movie took less than 24 hours to create. It now takes her just minutes to create a tutorial on any computer skill.

Outcome

Students liked the video tutorials because they are short and easy to follow. The step-by-step instructions are delivered in a personal voice which encourages them to feel like the instructor is present, assisting them as they work. Kim feels that Snap Z Pro also helps her explain complicated assignments to students with different learning styles. These short tutorials are so effective that they have been adopted by other instructors within the cohort.

Video Tutorial Examples

• Changing Your Profile for the Course Wiki (Quicktime Movie)
• Creating a Folder in a Wiki (Quicktime Movie)

Kim's Next Steps...

Kim plans to use video clips like these to demonstrate new techniques and to present new concepts in her courses. The software records any document, graphic or web page that appears on the computer screen along with the narration. These videos can be posted on myLesley, in a wiki, or included in emails.

You Can Create Instructional Videos Too!

• The free download of this Mac Program: http://www.ambrosiasw.com/utilities/snapzprox/. The full version cost $69.
• Jing provides the same functionality, and it is free for both Mac and PC users: http://www.jingproject.com/
• Contact eLearning and Instructional Support at eLIS@lesley.edu to set up a consultation with an Instructional Designer