On this page you will find a suite of short guides and information, covering Windows & external software such as Adobe Spark, ScreenCast-O-Matic, Adobe Spark. and many more. Click onto the headings below to expand the text box and access the links.

We have grouped a number of applications together which cover:  screencasts, video editing, and sharing your videos.  Recommended tools are: Screencast-O-matic,  Adobe Spark, YouTube, Windows 10 Photo Editor, etc.

Linkedin Learning has a stack of great videos on the topic of YouTube and video creation. Log in with you student account.

Planning a video

Audio recording/editing

  • Audacity is an easy-to-use, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux and other operating systems.
  • You can find here a complete introduction to Audacity.  Alternatively use Garageband – Free native iOS app to record music and audio on all Apple devices. You can also use voice memos on iPhones.   

Recording a video clip or screen/selfie video

  • Free Android phone & tablet editing apps: Adobe Premiere Clip or Quik
  • Free iOS (Apple) phone/ipad & Mac editing apps: iMovie app or Photobooth – Screencasting
  • Click here for the Screencast-O-matic student guide, or here to access the Screen-cast-o-matic browser based screen recorder.
  • Using Windows 10 + webcam to record a simple “selfie type” video
  • This short guide covers older versions of Windows, Macs and Chromebooks for recording a video via webcam.

Editing/creating a video from clips

    

We have grouped a number of applications together which cover eportfolios: OneNote Notebook, Padlet and Sway 

OneNote Notebook is part of the Office 365 suite of apps. OneNote Notebook exploits all of the easy-to-use tools you’ll be familiar with if you already use OneNote. Super simple to make a personalised notes to use and share for collaborative working or assessment purposes. Log into your student Office 365 account when using OneNote Class Notebook.

  • Click here to open our NoteNote Notebook student guide

Padlet : Use Padlet to create collaborative online pinboards. Use it as a research tool, mood boards, sharing ideas, team projects, or collecting and sharing websites/learning resources.  Easy and intuitive to use, with many flexible layouts.  Watch a YouTube guide to Padlet by clicking here.

SWAY: Make a SWAY eportoflio in 5 minutes using the Word document import feature.

OR you may wish to explore Coventry.Domains: Coventry.Domains is a tool for creating portfolios, blogs and other websites. It’s available to both students and educators of the Coventry University Group. Staff and students of the Coventry University Group can build their online presence and become better digital citizens with Coventry.Domains.

Coventry.Domains offers two options for getting online:

  • Coventry.Domains WordPress – An instantly available WordPress site with managed themes, plugins, privacy and cookie policies open to everyone in the University Group
  • Domains of One’s Own – A DIY solution where staff and students can request web hosting space where they can install and maintain their content management system of choice (including WordPress)

With either option, you can build a website, blog or portfolio, customise the appearance and start publishing pages and blog posts for all the world (or select users) to see.

For most users, Coventry.Domains WordPress is the best option as it’s available to everyone in the group, doesn’t require approval and has the quickest set up process.

Use these online apps to create stunning posters, leaflets, flyers and info-graphic type presentations. Use existing templates to quickly
create some great poster designs. Designs can be downloaded and embedded in Office documents, or as a PDF.  Check restrictions on file
types/size/format when downloading your designs.

We recommend the following free tools:

  • Canva is a free online design tool with many features (including animation).  The best tool we’ve found for this job – sor far 🙂
  • Pictochart to create and share posters or infographics online
  • Easelly. For collaborative posters – click here for video tutorial
  • Venngage. Create info-graphics in a few quick and easy steps 
  • Adobe Spark. Is a very slick and intuitive online (free) graphics creation tool.  Alternatively use Sway as part of the MS Office 365 suite of applications
  • ​​​​​​​Wakelet – Free tool for content collections; bookmarks for research, portfolios, group activities and more 

Apart from the obvious PowerPoint (part of your Office 365 apps) there are a number of free tools online which can be used to create stunning professional looking presentations. 

Microsoft Teams +  MS Stream (Record a video and share via Stream). Alternatively use the slide narration feature in PowerPoint using Office 365 . Videos created in MS Teams can be easily shared via Stream with accurate closed captioning. Screencast-O-Matic can be used as an alternative to record and narrate screens. 

Some of the best (free) ones we recommend are listed below:

  1. Microsoft Sway (included inOffice 365) – click here for Quickstart guide
  2. Adobe Spark (Websites, videos and graphics) – a one stop shop for all your presentation needs. Step-by-step guide
  3. Padlet : Use Padlet to create collaborative online pinboards. Use it as a research tool, mood boards, sharing ideas, team projects, or collecting and sharing websites/learning resources.  Easy and intuitive to use, with many flexible layouts.  Watch a YouTube guide to Padlet by clicking here.
  4. Lino.it – is a kind of interactive pinboard which you can share! Simple & effective; ideal for moodboards.
  5. Prezi – zoom into a unique way of presenting. The basic version is still free.
  6. FlipHTML5 creates online flipbooks from your PDF files. Simple but effective – see an example here! Click here for a short flipHTML5 video tutorial
  7. Powtoon to easily create engaging and exciting short browser based animations. 
  8. Use Thinglink to create interactive visuals and share via a browser.