Record in-person activities in rooms without the Lecture Recording System
- Jacqueline Kort Mascort (Deactivated)
For classrooms without the Lecture Recording System (LRS), you can record your class using either Camtasia or Zoom (recommended) and then upload the video file to the Lecture Recordings tool. Video and audio quality may vary depending on your proximity to your computer and whether you use an internal or external microphone and webcam.
In this article:
Guidelines for in-person recording options
For recordings that only include the instructor (no capture of students):
Orally repeat questions from students so that they are clearly captured in the recording.
Avoid articulating information that might identify students. For example, instead of naming students, you might say, “Yes, the student in the front row wearing the blue top.” You may also use students’ first names if you know them; however, it is important to be aware that less common names may identify students.
Include a disclaimer that academic activities, students’ voices, and students' first names may be recorded and viewed by other students. The disclaimer can be included in the course outline.
Students must consent to being recorded to stay in class and participate in in-class activities. Students who are uncomfortable being recorded can choose not to engage with you during the recording or not to attend class and instead view the recording later.
Remind students each time recording is turned on.
Recordings should only be made with McGill or instructor-owned equipment. Teaching assistants should not record on their personal devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets).
For recordings that include the instructor and/or students:
Include a disclaimer that academic activities, students’ voices, and students' first names may be recorded and viewed by other students. The disclaimer can be included in the course outline. For example: "Your instructor will notify students if any components of the class will be recorded. Students must consent to being recorded. By staying in class and participating in in-class activities, you consent to being recorded. Alternatively, students who are uncomfortable being recorded can choose not to attend class and instead view the recording later."
A disclaimer and consent form should be available for students to sign when they enter the classroom to indicate they accept the recording conditions. (Alternatives to this manual system are acceptable as long as students acknowledge having read the disclaimer and can indicate consent). The instructor, teaching assistant, or other staff member who oversees the recording should store the consent form in a secure location so that access is limited to staff.
Students must consent to being recorded to stay in class and participate in in-class activities. Students who are uncomfortable being recorded can choose not to engage with you during the recording or not to attend class and instead view the recording later.
Remind students each time the recording is turned on.
Recordings should only be made with McGill or instructor-owned equipment. Teaching assistants should not record on their personal devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets).
Record an in-person class with Zoom
Begin a Zoom session.
You can schedule your sessions in advance with the myCourses Zoom integration. If you select Record the meeting automatically and In the cloud when scheduling your class, then your Zoom session will record automatically and the video file will be transferred to the Lecture Recordings tab.
You can schedule your sessions in advance with the McGill Zoom portal. If you create a Zoom session with the same name as your course, then the recording will be automatically added to the Lecture Recordings tab. You can find this name in Lecture Recordings > Tools > Course Settings, under Zoom Topic.
You can use the Zoom desktop client or web portal to start your session without scheduling it in advance.
Enable video and audio. Adjust the camera and microphone as needed.
If you are using an external microphone, you can Select a Microphone by clicking the upward arrow on the Mute button.
Begin the recording with the Record button on your Zoom toolbar. You have multiple recording options:
Select Record while in session and then choose to Record on this Computer. The video file will render following your session and will be saved to your computer. You will have to manually upload the recording to the Lecture Recordings tool after your class. See the Upload a recording article section for more information.
Select Record while in session and then choose to Record to the Cloud. You will have to access your Zoom cloud recordings via Lecture Recordings > Tools and save them to your course. See the Add Zoom recordings article section for more information.
Exit the Zoom session at the end of class, and use an above method to make the recording available to students.
Record an in-person class with Camtasia
Instructors at McGill can download Camtasia at no cost from the McGill University software site.
Open the Camtasia desktop application and select New Recording.
Ensure that your Camera and Microphone are turned on and adjust them as needed. Click the downward arrow beside these icons to select a different camera or microphone input.
(Optional) Turn on Screen and/or System audio recording if you would like to record your screen or computer audio (e.g., to capture a YouTube video).
Click Record (rec). You can Delete, Pause, or Stop your recording while it is ongoing.
Click Stop to exit the Camtasia recording at the end of class. Your recording will be automatically uploaded to Camtasia and made available to edit.
Click File > Save to save the recording to your computer.
You will have to manually upload the recording to the Lecture Recordings tool after your class. See the Upload a recording article section for more information.
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