Mini Lecture

About

A mini-lecture is a short (5-7 minutes or less) video that covers a particular course topic. These can include a video of you on screen or be as simple as using slides from a PowerPoint with recorded audio narration.

Applications for Teaching and Learning

Mini-lectures are useful on multiple levels. They can help focus attention in a length of time that better facilitates learning. They also allow faculty to repurpose various topics for other courses that might have overlap in content. Additionally, they provide a way for students to engage with the instructor as part of the online learning community.

Steps for implementation

To begin utilizing mini-lectures in your courses, be sure to determine the topics or concepts that make the most sense to cover in more detail, in the form of a video.

Preparing for your mini-lecture

1. Determine what objectives you plan to fulfill by generating lecture content.
   
2. Prepare your presentation materials (will you be using a PowerPoint, etc.?).
   
3. Identify what video recording/lecture capture software or equipment you will use (see ATUS’ list of recording options).
   
4. Practice using the technology you plan to use prior to recording your mini-lecture.

Determining your topic

1. Are there topics that students tend to struggle with regularly that might benefit from more explanation?
   
2. Are there diagrams, other visual processes, or perhaps lab procedures that require a clear description of what is happening in each stage or step?
   
3. Are there specific concepts that might be helpful for students to know in advance of working with certain topics?
   
4. Do you have topics from other courses that might be prerequisites that could be useful for students to review?
   
5. Do you teach about sensitive topics that could benefit from additional framing and explanation?
   
6. Chunk your content.  A 5 minute lecture is short, so you need to limit the scope.

Delivering your mini-lecture

1. Be sure your audio is clear and loud enough.  You may want to make a test recording first and play it back to check.  If needed, contact ATUS Video Services for help with audio.  You may find it helpful to use a headset or external microphone instead of the integrated microphone in your computer.
   
2. If you will record video of yourself, check to be sure that your background is not distracting and your lighting is adequate. It is helpful if your light source is in front of you instead of behind you.
   
3. Close any unnecessary applications or tabs that you will not be using on your computer, but be sure to have the programs and documents you need for your mini-lecture open before beginning your recording (e.g. PowerPoint, a webpage you want to show, and your recording application).
   
4. Try to be yourself! Remember to connect with your students through the camera or microphone.  Eye contact with the camera or a “smile” in your voice can make a big difference in the quality of your mini-lecture.
   
5. Pace yourself as you deliver your content. Try not to rush.
   
6. Be mindful that if you avoid mentioning the date, specific homework, etc. in your recording, you may be able to reuse the same recording in another class which can save you work in the future.