Recording Guidance for Teaching

Recording Guidance for Teaching

Recordings can enhance student learning, accessibility and flexibility. The purpose of a recording is to support student learning. Recordings are not intended to replicate any aspects of the class experience, nor replace active participation in learning activities. Quality teaching involves active learning, which is not suitable for recording. The decision to record should be informed by the educational purpose of the class and the extent to which that purpose can be supported through a recording.

Principles

Class recordings need to:
  • Support student learning and success
  • Complement, rather than replace, active teaching and learning
  • Facilitate revision
  • Respect privacy and copyright considerations
  • Not be relied upon to deliver online learning materials
Class recordings can be used by students to:
  • Review and consolidate learning
  • Revisit a key concept
  • Study at a pace suitable to learning needs
  • Support accessibility and inclusion (with appropriate use of captions and audio quality)
  • Support continuity of learning where attendance is impacted by extenuating circumstances
What is suitable to record?

Recording is generally encouraged where the primary purpose of the class is to communicate, explain or demonstrate knowledge. Examples include:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Guest lectures
  • Expert presentations
  • Assessment briefings
  • Demonstrations that can be captured on recording
  • Revision of content

In these situations, students who view the recording can receive the key learning that occurred during the class and can leverage the recording for continuity of learning where there’s been an absence, revisit key concepts, or review and consolidate learning.

Please communicate with your students which classes will be recorded and made available via the Learning Management System.

When is it not suitable to record?

Recording is likely not appropriate where the primary educational value is derived from participation, rather than content delivery. Examples include:

  • Interactive tutorials
  • Laboratory sessions
  • Facilitated discussions
  • Peer learning activities
  • Collaborative workshops
  • Reflective discussions
  • Activities involving sensitive personal disclosure

A recording cannot reproduce the learning gained through participation, discussion, questioning, collaboration, reflection and real-time engagement.

Mixed-mode classes

Many classes contain both instructional and interactive elements. In these situations, academic staff should consider recording the components that provide ongoing learning value while removing sections where participation is the primary learning activity. Class recordings can be either paused or ended in room at the appropriate time or edited after the recording to remove components that are not relevant.

Recordings and attendance

Class recordings are intended to support learning not replace participation. Students are encouraged to attend and engage in learning activities. Recording provides an additional learning resource that supports review, revision and continuity of learning when attendance is disrupted.

Online delivery

In-class recordings should not act as primary learning materials for online students. In-class recordings can feature poor audio and classroom interactions that disengage online students. Online students should receive content directly targeted to them including pre-recorded content and active learning opportunities. In-class recordings can be provided as a supplementary resource for all students.

Tips

  • Have a test run with the equipment before the scheduled class.
  • Use a microphone at all times to ensure the recording captures what you say while reducing background noise.
  • Speak with a moderate pace, articulating your words.
  • If featuring in the recording, ask students in-class to speak one at a time when contributing to discussions.
  • Repeat questions into the microphone when answering questions.
  • Pause the recording when appropriate for breaks within the class.
  • Stop the recording when the class finishes.

Support resources