Instructor-created video helps establish a personal connection with students, clarify challenging concepts, and maintain an active teaching presence throughout an online course. Short, purposeful videos can make learning more engaging and help students feel supported.
At a glance: Post a welcome video before the course begins and at least one substantial video announcement each week. Weekly video announcements must include at least 30 seconds of the instructor on camera, directly addressing students.
Why Use Video in Your Course?
Video is more than a communication tool. When used intentionally, it supports several important aspects of online teaching and learning.
Establish Instructor Presence
Seeing and hearing their instructor reinforces that someone is actively guiding the course and invested in student success.
Build Community and Connection
Voice, facial expression, and a conversational tone can convey encouragement and help students feel connected to the learning community.
Clarify Complex Concepts
Demonstrations, examples, and narrated walkthroughs can help students understand difficult material and revisit explanations when needed.
Provide Meaningful Feedback
A short video can address common misconceptions, explain assessment results, and guide students toward improvement.
Instructor Video Requirements
Use these requirements and recommendations to plan your video communication before and during each course.
BEFORE YOUR COURSE BEGINS
Welcome Video: Meet the Instructor
Requirement: Post a welcome video announcement introducing yourself to students. Complete the Instructor Information area with your biography, contact information, and availability for office hours or individual synchronous meetings.
Your Meet the Instructor video is an opportunity to establish a personal connection before students begin their learning journey. Rather than focusing on course content, introduce yourself as an educator and share what makes you passionate about your field.
What to Include in Your Introduction
Use these suggestions as talking points rather than a script. Choose what feels natural and comfortable to share.
- Welcome and introduction: Greet students warmly and introduce yourself by name.
- Education and professional experience: Share your background, relevant credentials, career highlights, or what inspired you to pursue your field.
- Teaching experience and philosophy: Explain what you enjoy about teaching, how you approach learning, or what motivates you as an educator.
- Personal interests (optional): Share hobbies, community involvement, family interests, or other details that help students get to know you.
- Closing and encouragement: Let students know you look forward to working with them and encourage them to reach out with questions.
Tip: Consider including personal photographs, professional images, or brief video clips that help illustrate your experiences and interests. PowerPoint can also be used to incorporate these visuals. Aim for a natural, welcoming introduction rather than a formal presentation.
Keep Your Introduction Timeless
Avoid including details that could quickly become outdated. A general introduction can be reused across courses and future terms.
Best Practices
- Focus on yourself, your experience, and your teaching approach.
- Use welcoming, general language that works across courses.
- Share personal details only when you feel comfortable.
- Aim for approximately 2–5 minutes.
- Record in a quiet, well-lit setting with clear audio.
Precautions
- Avoid references to specific courses or programs.
- Skip dates, seasons, and other time-sensitive comments.
- Avoid naming technologies or tools that may change.
- Do not spend most of the video reviewing course assignments.
- Avoid sharing information you would prefer to keep private.
For example: Instead of saying, “I’m excited to teach BIO101 this fall,” consider, “I’m excited to share my experience and support you throughout your learning journey.” This approach keeps your video relevant across courses and terms.
Explore Meet the Instructor Video Examples
Not sure where to begin? Explore the following instructor introduction videos for ideas about tone, presentation, and ways to introduce yourself to students. These examples are provided for inspiration; your introduction should reflect your own personality and teaching style.
Example 1
View an instructor introduction video from the University of Wisconsin’s instructional media showcase.
Example 2
Watch Amber Leibundgut Peterson’s Meet the Instructor video for another approach to introducing yourself.
Example 3
Explore Tim Knautz’s Meet the Instructor video for additional inspiration.
Example 4
View Tom Reed’s Meet the Instructor video as another example of an instructor introduction.
These examples are hosted externally. Their availability and presentation may change.
EVERY WEEK
Substantial Video Announcement
Requirement: Post a minimum of one substantial announcement that includes a video each week.
- Appear on camera and directly address students, rather than using only a screencast or voiceover.
- Include at least 30 seconds with the instructor visible on screen.
- Share meaningful guidance, context, examples, or resources beyond what is already presented in the module.
- Include accurate closed captions and provide an appropriate text alternative as needed for accessibility.
Weekly announcements should support students as they move through the course. Highlight upcoming learning, address common questions, explain challenging material, or provide guidance and encouragement.
Practical Ways to Use Video
Instructor video does not need to be a formal lecture. Consider these approaches throughout the term.
Welcome and Guide Students
- Introduce weekly learning: Highlight key concepts, assignments, and expectations.
- Clarify processes: Walk students through navigation, instructions, or challenging content.
- Share additional resources: Connect students with relevant support services or professional examples.
Respond and Reinforce
- Answer common questions: Address concerns shared by multiple students.
- Review assessments: Explain common errors and reinforce difficult material without disclosing individual student results.
- Make connections: Share relevant university activities, current events, or professional developments.
Creating Effective Instructor Videos
Clear, purposeful communication matters more than elaborate production. Keep these practices in mind when planning your recordings.
Best Practices
- Keep videos focused and ideally under five minutes.
- Use a natural, conversational tone.
- Explain how the video helps students with course activities or assignments.
- Use screen sharing and visual examples when they support learning.
- Provide accurate captions and describe essential visual content.
- Review reusable videos for relevance each term.
Precautions
- Avoid simply reading or duplicating module pages.
- Do not substitute a screencast alone for the required on-camera appearance.
- Avoid lengthy recordings covering too many unrelated topics.
- Review automatic captions before sharing the video.
- Never include private student information in class-wide recordings.
- Update old dates, links, and examples before reusing a video.
Ready to Record? Explore the Faculty Video Toolkit
Canvas Studio provides tools for recording and sharing instructor videos in Canvas. The Excelsior Faculty Video Toolkit offers guidance to help you get started and incorporate video into your teaching.