Narrating a PowerPoint can be a quick and fairly easy way to get started making videos, but think of this as using training wheels. If you do go this route there are some important best practices, and the best way to illustrate this is to SHOW you, so that's what on this page.

In this first video, I explain the thought process that went into my AFTER version of a real lecture revision example at the bottom of the page. I also share some candid insights I've learned along the way on my own journey of making videos.

In this video you'll learn:

The SINGLE easiest way to make a good video (and the reason why most of you still won't do it!)
A good TIME SAVING tip that, believe it or not, I only JUST figured out myself. (And now I feel really stupid!)
How many "takes" you REALLY need to create a video you can live with. (If you insist on skipping planning work because you let yourself believe that you don't really need to do it!)
Here are some lecture notes if you prefer to read.

General Best Practices

Remove Text - people can't read AND listen, and their brains will toggle back and forth trying to do both!
Add Pictures -people can take in the audio while their eyes rest on an image that relates in some way.
Be CAREFUL with graphs! Highlight your cursor to direct the eye.
Yes, you can just narrate over your PowerPoint, BUT... even with lots of pictures it's probably not as good as a talking head with fewer images.
Keep in Short & Chunked by Topic - while there are no rules on length, a good general rule of thumb is to break apart videos into smaller topics.
Do NOT skimp on the preliminary work! I know you think you don't need to, but I regret it every single time I try to cut corners in the planning process! You've been warned (and like me, you'll forget the misery you're creating for yourself with editing in post!)

PowerPoint Video Examples: Before & After

Here's a side by side example of a revised lecture using a common starting point, a good old PowerPoint. NOTE: The content for this example is real. It was in a course that was shared in the Canvas Commons as a "Public Domain" resource. It's an example of a very typical lecture. Before watching the videos below, take a look at the before PowerPoint.

Simply narrating over a text heavy PowerPoint is NOT a recipe for success! See for yourself. Better yet, try this on your phone with the Canvas Student app. Can you even access the narration embedded within the PowerPoint?! Chapter One: Introduction to Psychology PPT (BEFORE)

Even when this is made into a video, imagine what it's like to be a student. How long you can stay engaged with this video format?

Below is the after version I created in 2018. Adding images is an improvement, but I would NOT do this revision the same way today! I'd make a talking head!

I had originally recorded a talking head intro to this, but it came out blurry so I used a photo of myself instead while narrating the intro script. But the three videos on this page give you a great opportunity to compare three different formats; one is just a narrated PowerPoint with text, one has an intro with inquiry questions and more images, and the video about this whole revision process is a talking. Which video do YOU find the most engaging?