Creating Presence Through Video

Video is one of the simplest ways to create connection in your course. Short, intentional videos help students feel supported, understand expectations, and stay engaged—without adding extra work to your week.

Why it Works

Ways to Use Video

What it is: A short video explaining a key concept students often struggle with.

When to use it:

Complex or confusing topics
Important foundational ideas
Concepts students frequently misunderstand

What it can look like:

“Hi everyone—this week I want to walk you through the difference between correlation and causation. This is something that can get confusing, so let’s break it down with a simple example…”

Try this structure:

Introduce the concept
Clarify the confusion
Give a simple example

How Long Should Videos Be?

2–10 minutes (aim for the shorter end when possible)

What it is: A quick video showing students what the assignment is asking and how to be successful.

When to use it:

Major assignments
First assignment in the course
Assignments where students often lose points

What it can look like:

“Let’s take a quick look at this week’s assignment so you know exactly what I’m looking for. The main goal here is to apply the concept, not just define it…”

Try this structure:

Explain the purpose
Highlight what matters most
Point out common mistakes

How Long Should Videos Be?

2–10 minutes (aim for the shorter end when possible)

What it is: A short video that motivates, reassures, and supports students. These videos help students feel seen, capable, and connected—especially during challenging moments in the course.

When to use it:

Heavier or more challenging weeks
Before or after major assignments
When engagement tends to drop
Mid-course check-ins

What it can look like:

“Hi everyone—I know this week can feel a bit overwhelming, so I just wanted to check in. You’re making progress, and it’s okay if this takes a little time. Focus on one step at a time—you’ve got this.”

Try this structure:

Acknowledge the challenge or moment
Offer encouragement or reassurance
Remind students what to focus on

How Long Should Videos Be?

1-3 minutes (aim for the shorter end when possible)

Example Videos from Instructors

Below are real examples from instructors showing how they use short videos in their courses. Some focus on explaining a concept, others walk students through assignments, and some do a bit of both —including offering encouragement and support. Click on the image to watch the video. Use these examples as inspiration for your own videos. Choose the style that feels natural for you.

Play

Additional Tips for Using Video Effectively

Be Specific with Video Titles

Clear, descriptive titles make it much easier for students to find the help they need—especially when you have multiple videos in a course.

Instead of a general title like “Week 2 Problem Walkthrough,” try something more specific like: “Week 2 Problem 3 – Solving for Acceleration Step-by-Step”

This helps students quickly locate the exact concept or assignment they’re struggling with—without having to watch multiple videos.

Include Direct Video Links
If your videos are hosted on YouTube, consider also sharing the direct link alongside the embedded version.

Some students prefer watching videos directly on YouTube, and providing the link upfront can:

Prevent access or playback issues
Reduce follow-up questions
Give students flexibility in how they engage with the content

Consider FAQ Videos
A short FAQ video can be a powerful way to support students and build connection.

These can be posted weekly, biweekly or as needed and focus on:

Common questions from the week
Clarifications on assignments
Quick reminders or encouragement

Why this works: It shows students you’re paying attention to their needs in real time—and often answers questions other students didn’t even realize they had.

Important: Accessibility & Captions

Videos include closed captions to support accessibility.

YouTube videos: Captions are automatically generated, but you can review them for accuracy.
Studio videos: Captions may need to be turned on or uploaded manually—check the platform settings before sharing. Click here to learn more about how to add auto-generated captions to media files in Canvas Studio.

Tip: Encourage students to use captions if it helps them follow along, take notes, or if English is not their first language.

Save and Reuse Your Videos

💾 Once you’ve created a video, you don’t have to recreate it for every course!

Canvas Studio: Save your video in Studio for easy access and reuse across multiple courses.
YouTube Playlist: Create a private playlist to organize your videos and share them when needed.

This way, you can build a library of content over time and quickly add it to future courses.

Not sure how to add videos to your Canvas course? Check out our How to Embed Videos in Canvas guide before getting started.

Not sure how to create effective slide decks for live sessions, mini lessons, or assignment walkthroughs? Check out Creating Effective Slide Decks for Student Learning to get started.

Having trouble with audio, screen sharing, or recording setup? Review the troubleshooting tips and common mistakes to quickly identify and fix common video recording issues.