Using videos for more than just lectures

Last year I heard about Loom for the first time when I attended ACT. I gave a brief description of the program in a previous post. Essentially, Loom is a program accompanied by an online platform that instructors can use to create videos. Videos are recorded either using the browser plugin or desktop app and are stored and shared using the online platform. 

This is the first semester I started using it but so far so good! The very first video I created was for a student asking a question via email. Instead of taking 15-ish minutes to craft a nicely worded response reviewing classical conditioning, I took 3 minutes to create a video reviewing the concept. I think it’s a time saver, and this way the students can watch the video as many times as they want if they need repetition. Maybe it’ll even encourage more student to email me if they’re afraid to come to my office…? We’ll see.
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I’ve done this a few times now, and it seems to be well received by the students. When I mentioned in class that I had the capability to do this, they seemed excited/intrigued. It’s also user friendly on the student side. Once they click on the link, they are taken straight to the video; no need to make an account!

I have plans to use this in a couple different way this semester. One avenue I already explored is creating a video to accompany an assignment description. I had students wanting examples of what should be covered in each section (despite the written description they were given), so I made a video with detailed examples and also took time to explain the rubric! Then I included the link in the LMS assignment posting with the other assignment information.  

This semester I’m also teaching a research methods writing lab. I’m excited for the opportunity to create videos to send individualized feedback. Giving feedback on a written assignment in the LMS is something I still struggle with. I’m hoping that creating a video in addition to my written/typed feedback will give more detailed feedback in an easily accessible format.  

Loom is super user friendly. The adjacent picture is a screen grab of the desktop app window. The program gives 3 recording options. (I almost always use the screen only option!) You press the “start recording” button to start. You’ll be given a countdown (3, 2, 1, beep), and you’ll press the square button to stop. Pretty easy! Once you’re done recording, the video will open in the online platform. You can rename and edit the video if you want. In your online account, it allows you to create folders to organize everything. Sharing a video is as easy as copying and pasting a link

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Right now I’m using the free version, so I’m limited on the number of videos I can access (bummer!), but the Pro version is $8 per month. If you make/share a lot of videos frequently, it may be a worthwhile investment.
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Do you use a video program that’s free and user friendly? I’d love to hear about it!
 
written by Jen Blush