Unit Introduction Videos: Building Connection
Creating impactful unit introduction videos
Online teaching presents unique challenges in establishing meaningful connections with students who may never set foot on campus. Unit introduction videos have emerged as a powerful tool for bridging this gap, helping educators create a welcoming digital presence that enhances student engagement and sets a positive tone for the entire learning experience.
This resource combines practical guidance with real-world insights from experienced online educators. Learn the five essential tips for crafting effective introductory videos, including how to share personal touches that build trust, explain unit value clearly, and design content for longevity.
Practical wisdom from experience
Senior Lecturer Finna Hopgood shares her journey of creating unit introduction videos, offering valuable insights into the lasting impact these connections can have on online education. Since 2017, she has discovered that welcome videos do more than just introduce content – they fundamentally transform the online learning experience.
Finna emphasises keeping videos conversational and relaxed while maintaining professional production values. Her approach focuses on conveying genuine enthusiasm that inspires student excitement about the unit. By avoiding assessment specifics and date-dependent content, her videos remain relevant across multiple offerings, maximising their value and impact.
Why educators create
introduction videos
Key motivations and benefits:
- Bridging the Distance Gap: Recognising that many online students never experience campus life, introduction videos create that crucial “face-to-face” moment that would naturally occur in a physical classroom.
- Enhancing Audio-Based Teaching: For educators using podcast lectures, videos provide essential visual context, putting a face to the voice students hear throughout the unit.
- Fostering Student Engagement: Welcome videos encourage reciprocal introductions, with students more likely to introduce themselves after seeing their educator do the same.
- Professional Development: These videos can become valuable assets in teaching portfolios, demonstrating innovative digital pedagogy and student-centred practice.
Need templates to help?
We have PowerPoint templates to make your unit introduction flow well and look terrific.