It is not always necessary to create your own resource. Below are some options that might be useful sources of quality content. Some are openly available, others are available through University of Tasmania licenses and subscriptions.
A perceived barrier to using videos is the perceived complexity of copyright requirements. However, the University of Tasmania Teaching and Copyright website provides concise information that is likely to answer your questions. In simple terms, pointing students to online content (without making a copy of that content) is most often in alignment with copyright requirements.
YouTube, Vimeo and other free online sources
YouTube and Vimeo are two of the most popular video sharing platforms. They are an obvious go-to when you believe it is likely someone has already developed the type of content you are seeking. It can take time to find content of the appropriate quality – make sure to review any video its entirety if asking students to do the same.
Software demos (e.g. How to get Excel to perform a certain type of calculation, or How to use a feature in Photoshop).
Process-based techniques (e.g. common safety procedures).
Concepts which benefit from a visual explanation (e.g. the water cycle, a long division technique).
Freely available ‘taster’ offerings from paid subscription services (Netflix often releases selections of their content on YouTube – an example is the first series of Abstract: The Art of Design which is of potential relevance to a number of design disciplines).
Variable quality – rarely professionally produced content, so this applies in relation to both the production values and the integrity of content
Sometimes no transcript or subtitles – not a dealbreaker as there are other ways of providing a text alternative.
Variable relevance to Australia – sometimes it is important that your resources relate specifically to the Australian context.
Sometimes these videos already have closed captions – make sure to check whether each video has accurate captioning before sharing with students. If not, view the ‘text alternatives’ information in the ‘Sharing videos with students’ section below.
Lack of control over availability – These videos can become unavailable unexpectedly, so it is recommended that they are not relied upon as primary learning content, and that you periodically check the content.
Not available in some countries – students located in countries such as China will not be able to access YouTube videos.
Potentially contains irrelevant content – try to avoid providing a link to a full video where you have to instruct them to watch only part.
Considerations
Variable quality – rarely professionally produced content, so this applies in relation to both the production values and the integrity of content
Sometimes no transcript or subtitles – not a dealbreaker as there are other ways of providing a text alternative.
Variable relevance to Australia – sometimes it is important that your resources relate specifically to the Australian context.
Sometimes these videos already have closed captions – make sure to check whether each video has accurate captioning before sharing with students. If not, view the ‘text alternatives’ information in the ‘Sharing videos with students’ section below.
Lack of control over availability – These videos can become unavailable unexpectedly, so it is recommended that they are not relied upon as primary learning content, and that you periodically check the content.
Not available in some countries – students located in countries such as China will not be able to access YouTube videos.
Potentially contains irrelevant content – try to avoid providing a link to a full video where you have to instruct them to watch only part.
University video subscription/streaming media services
The University of Tasmania holds subscriptions to a number of video services that allow online access to staff and students for a range of general or specialist content.
The University of Tasmania has a subscription to LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com). Formerly accessible only to UTAS staff, now both staff and students can sign in with a University of Tasmania account to gain access to tens of thousands of videos. Originally focussed on software demos, these videos (and ‘courses’ comprising of a sequence of videos) now cover a huge range of topics from design principles to data analysis to avoiding procrastination.
Discipline-specific resources to provide an interactive experience to augment print-based information (e.g. the interactive resources on Anatomy.tv)
Full length films which may be of relevance to students studying in areas such as Humanities
Pointing students to supplementary supporting resources e.g. resources around overcoming procrastination
Make sure the students know how to access these subscription services – e.g. you may need to provide instructions about signing in with their University of Tasmania account.
Sometimes these content offerings already have closed captions or transcripts – make sure to check whether each video has some type of text alternative before sharing with students. If not, view the ‘text alternatives’ information in the ‘Sharing videos with students’ section below.
Considerations
Make sure the students know how to access these subscription services – e.g. you may need to provide instructions about signing in with their University of Tasmania account.
Sometimes these content offerings already have closed captions or transcripts – make sure to check whether each video has some type of text alternative before sharing with students. If not, view the ‘text alternatives’ information in the ‘Sharing videos with students’ section below.
Broadcast on-demand services
SBS, ABC and other broadcasters have their own streaming platforms. These are primarily relevant for longer format, professionally produced content including series, movies documentaries, or interviews.
Interviews and documentaries relevant to case studies or discipline-specific topics.
Current events references.
Considerations
Users usually often have to sign up (with a free account) to view offerings, so this may only be appropriate as an optional supplementary resource.
Most content has limited access periods – particularly ABC’s iView where a given content item might expire within a few weeks.
Sometimes these videos already have closed captions – make sure to check whether each video has accurate captioning before sharing with students. If not, view the ‘text alternatives’ information in the ‘Sharing videos with students’ section below.
This is a new resource and we would appreciate your feedback.
