Making a lesson video — 8 tips for teachers and trainers
A good lesson video isn't made with expensive equipment, but with a few deliberate choices about length, audio, framing and the moment you use it. Below are 8 practical tips for teachers and trainers without a film studio — and how to use the video directly in an interactive presentation.
Keep it short — under 3 minutes
A lesson video works best between 60-180 seconds per concept. Longer = attention lost. For a long topic: cut it into several short videos and link them to slides.
Audio matters more than picture
A slightly grainy video with clear audio works better than the other way around. Invest in a simple lavalier microphone or clip-on mic (€20-50) — that instantly raises any lesson video to an acceptable level.
Write first, then record
Write out your text briefly (max 1 A4 page for a 2-minute video). Reading sounds read aloud — use it as a rough guide, not a script. Bullet points on a cheat sheet work better than a full script.
Use your phone, not a camera
Modern phones (iPhone 11+, Samsung S20+) deliver great picture quality for a lesson video. Position it horizontally on a tripod or a stack of books. Avoid zoom — get closer instead of zooming in.
Light from one direction
Sit facing a window (not with your back to it — that turns you into a silhouette). Daylight through a window to your left or right gives natural modelling. No ring light needed for a lesson video.
One take, accept imperfection
Three attempts to make a perfect version take more time than one good one with small flaws. Students value authenticity over production value. For teachers: confidence grows with every video.
Add automatic subtitles
Required for WCAG accessibility and helpful for students in quiet environments. LectaMe Videostudio does this automatically in Dutch — then you correct any typos in the editor.
Link it to a moment of interaction
A lesson video without a check question afterwards is a one-way street. Place a quiz or polls right after your video in your LectaMe presentation — it gauges whether the concept landed.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a lesson video be?+
Optimal between 60 and 180 seconds per concept. Research (Guo et al., 2014) shows that attention drops sharply after 3 minutes and becomes nearly zero after 9 minutes. For a long topic: cut it into 3-5 short videos and place each in its own slide section with an in-between question.
What equipment do I need for a lesson video?+
Minimum: a modern phone (iPhone 11+ or Samsung S20+), a simple microphone or clip-on mic (€20-50), and daylight from a window. For those who want more: a tripod or phone holder (€15-30) and a background without distracting elements. No film camera or ring light needed.
What software do I use for editing?+
For education: a browser-based editor like LectaMe Videostudio. No installation, no Adobe subscription, automatic Dutch subtitles, and ready to place directly in your interactive presentation. For those who want something more professional: Adobe Premiere or DaVinci Resolve — but for 99% of lesson videos that's overkill.
Should I appear on camera or make a screen recording?+
Being on camera works for: introduction, personal story, motivational message, social presence. Screen recording works for: software explanations, theory with visuals, step-by-step instruction. The combination (picture-in-picture) works for: a screen recording with a small video frame of your face in a corner — the best of both worlds.
How do I make my lesson video accessible?+
Three things: (1) automatic subtitles in Dutch (LectaMe does this), (2) audio description or voice-over for essential visuals, (3) high contrast in text and image. For WCAG 2.2 AA: subtitles are required. For students with dyslexia or non-native speakers it also helps even without a formal accessibility requirement.