ARCHIVED: How can I effectively share my lectures?

An effective lecture stimulates student thinking and a desire to discuss course content. The lecture may be supported by additional materials in order to respect diverse talents and ways of learning. Most instructors already have a collection of lecture materials, including Microsoft PowerPoint slides, handouts, pre-class readings, etc., but a recording of the actual lecture may not be available. The links here contain information about recording and distributing effective lectures.

You can deliver online lectures live via Zoom, IU's Web conferencing and collaboration platform, and/or record them so students can view them at a time and place most convenient for them. One advantage of live delivery is that students can ask questions and get answers immediately. Also, you can break up the lecture with interactive activities such as polls, breakout discussions, or individual problem solving.

You have different options for preparing lectures that combine PowerPoint slides with audio or video narration. With Kaltura CaptureSpace (which runs under both Windows and Mac OS), you can record any combination of video, audio, PowerPoint, and your computer screen. You can also use Zoom to record your lectures, even if don’t plan to offer them live. Both products produce recording files in MP4 format, which you can easily upload to Kaltura and then share with your class via Kaltura’s integration with Canvas.

One note regarding lectures for asynchronous delivery: As in the classroom, but perhaps with more urgency in an online environment, using verbal signposts and easy-to-follow chunks of information will help students engage with recorded lectures. In audio recordings of lectures that accompany PowerPoint slides or images, keep in mind that students will miss an instructor's non-verbal cues and depend more on tone of voice, rate of speaking, and use of pauses. Similarly, instructors who record lectures will miss the students' non-verbal cues that indicate attention, engagement, and understanding.

To supplement your recorded lectures, consider the following:

• Upload lecture notes and other supporting files to Canvas Files
• Guide students through learning content with the Canvas Modules tool

For more about distributing lectures and lecture materials, see:

• ARCHIVED: Readings and other resource media
• ARCHIVED: Demonstrations

For more about managing discussion and interactions between students subsequent to lectures, see:

• ARCHIVED: Discussions: Includes information for synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous (just-in-time or self-paced) interactions that will allow instructors to encourage contact between students and instructors, develop reciprocity and cooperation among students, and encourage active learning.
• ARCHIVED: Collaborative learning and group activities: Relates to managing student group activities online in order to develop reciprocity and cooperation among students and encourage active learning.