Your introductory video will differ depending on your delivery mode. The following is an outline of what to include in your video. Add what you think would be most appropriate for your course.

As you will be seeing students regularly in a class environment the welcome video serves as a
way to introduce yourself to your students and give them an overview of the course. Key areas
to cover are:

Introduction

• Introduce yourself, name and a bit about yourself and your interest in the course (professional background)

About the course

• Tell students what they will learn in the course and how it fits in within the broader program
• What are the key concept/ideas of the course
• Why these concepts are important
• How students will benefit from the course

What to expect in this course

• Give a brief outline of the course content (e.g. class structure, assignments, assessment,
  group work, guest lecturers etc.)

Sign off

• Indicate the next step from here
• When to be present (this is the call to action – encourage them to engage online/in class)

Example

[Introduction] “My name is XXXX and I am the course coordinator of Writing Persuasively – a course that might
just be the most valuable course in your degree. As a freelance copywriter I have spent 20 years
writing persuasive copy for Advertising agencies, PR companies, and my own clients as well.
[About the course] This course is designed so as to share with you my toolbox of ideas and experience, therefore
enabling you to write more persuasive reports, essays, grants, even job applications and emails.
[What to expect in the course] This course takes an Action Learning approach, that is you’ll learn to write well by…well, writing!
Lots of it. We’ll be writing a piece per week – so by attending all ten tutorials you will accumulate
the 8 required pieces for your assessment portfolio.
[Sign off] So sharpen your pencils – or keypad, and get ready to learn the art of persuasive writing.”

For a blended course, the welcome video is a way to introduce yourself to your students and give them an outline of the course. It may be useful to convey what will be delivered face to face and what elements will be delivered online. The following are key points to cover.

Introduction

• Introduce yourself, name and a bit about yourself and your interest in the course (professional background)

About the course

• Tell students what they will learn in the course and how it fits in within the broader program
• What are the key concept/ideas of the course
• Why these concepts are important
• How students will benefit from the course

What to expect in this course

• Explain what percentage of the course will be delivered online and what will be face to face.
• Give a brief outline of the course content (e.g. class structure, assignments, assessment,
  group work, guest lecturers etc.)

Sign of

• When to be present (this is the call to action – encourage them to engage online/in class).

For an online course, a detailed welcome video is very important. It is your first contact with the students, put a face to the name and sets the tone for the rest of the delivery.

Key points to include are:

Introduction

• Introduce yourself, name and a bit about yourself and your interest in the course (professional background)
• Consider mentioning the best method students can contact you (phone/email/skype).

About the online course

• Tell students what they will learn in the course and how it fits in within the broader program
• What are the key concept/ideas of the course
• Why these concepts are important
• How students will benefit from the course
• Emphasise the importance of participating (e.g. activities, discussions and communicating with your online cohort)
• Give a brief summary of how the course site is organised, where/how to navigate, where to find key resources and how to get the best use of the site (also consider creating detailed video screencapture explaining the course menu orientation and layout).

What to expect in this course

• Outline the expectations of the learner – set rules and structure (e.g. you are expected to spend 6 hours a week on this course)
  Explain the assignment/assessment requirements in brief (create another video of a more detailed explanation of the assessment)
• Discuss your level of presence – how often you will be posting, how/if you will be available for one on one consultation with the learner, your availability (phone/email times).

Sign of

• Tell them where to next… (e.g. start module 1 or watch the next video etc.)

The style and production of your welcome video can vary from high production to recording a message using a handheld device such as a smart phone or tablet depending on your skill level and access to hardware/software.

Digital Video Camera Recording

The following is an example of a welcome video recorded on a professional digital camera with supporting footage and branded introduction/titles.

Betty Kanzurovski – Knit Pattern Technology Course Introduction

Studio Recording

The following is an example of a video created in a studio using a combination of green screen technology, supporting footage and video post production (graphics and effects). This type of video is more suited to online courses where video content is primary to the content delivery and learning experience.

Welcome to Cybersecurity and Mobility

Handheld Device (Smart phone or Tablet)

The following are examples of a videos created using handheld devices (phone and tablet) with
basic editing. This type of recording can be created easily by yourself.

Introduction to Globalisation by James Arvanitakis

James Arvanitakis is a lecturer at the University of Western Sydney – he won the Prime Minister’s
teacher of the year award in 2012. He creates fun and engaging videos using a simple handheld
device.

Dr Margaret Heffernan – Introduction to Manangement
This welcome was created using an iPad and edited using iMovie.