How to Record Course Videos with PowerPoint and Zoom
Creating engaging, high-quality video content for your online courses doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, one of the best tools you can use to record your course videos is already available on your computer—and it’s completely free: Zoom (Google Meet also works as well)!
Most people know Zoom as a popular video conferencing platform, especially since it became essential during the COVID-19 pandemic for virtual meetings and schooling. But did you know Zoom can also double as a powerful video recording tool? It allows you to capture your presentation slides alongside a “bobble head” video of yourself in the corner—giving your students a personal connection without the hassle of complicated editing afterwards.
Why Zoom to Record Course Videos
Zoom is incredibly user-friendly, widely accessible, and requires no additional software purchases if you already have it installed. Here’s why I love using Zoom for my course videos:
- It’s free and easy to use: You can sign up for a free Zoom account and start recording immediately.
- Record your slides and your face simultaneously: Zoom captures your presentation with your webcam video in the corner, making your videos more engaging and personable.
- No post-recording editing required: The final video is ready to go as soon as Zoom finishes processing it, saving you valuable time.
- Audio-only recording option: Zoom also automatically creates an audio-only file, perfect for students who prefer to listen instead of watch.
Your Face in Course Videos?
I highly recommend recording yourself alongside your slides. Seeing your face makes the course feel more engaging and personal for students, which helps build trust and increases course satisfaction. It’s like having a real conversation, even though it’s online.
If you’re comfortable on camera, this simple setup with Zoom is a fantastic way to make your courses stand out without extra expense or technical headaches.
Preparing Your Content
Before diving into a recording session, prepare your slides. Use PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides, or your preferred presentation tool to outline key points, visuals, and any multimedia assets related to your course material.
Designing your slides can be time consuming and takes design skill. Just supply your teaching material or tell us your topic and we’ll create visually engaging slides for you starting from only $40. Use these slides in class or online and sell them as a download or video course on education marketplaces like KommDigital. Click on Order Your PowerPoint Slides (takes you to the end of this post) to arrange your slide deck.
Here’s an example of our slide design work on the complex topic of metabolism, metabolic pathways and chronic disease states, including cancer:
Create course videos this way personalizes the learning experience and helps build trust and connection with your students, which is crucial for online teaching success. Here’s a video showing you how to record course videos with Zoom and PowerPoint (Credit: Gemma Bottom Carter).
Recording Whiteboard Based Course Videos
Likewise, you can record a whiteboard based lesson with Zoom (or Google Meet) by clicking On the in-meeting controls, click the Whiteboards button. Click New Whiteboard in Zoom. The whiteboard will open in the meeting window. Then follow the above video to record your narration while illustrating on the whiteboard window.
Whiteboard lessons are great for demonstrating concepts, equations, working through problems, etc. in real time.
Making Money Off Your Course Videos
Now that you know how easy it is to record course videos in Zoom (or Google Meet), did you know you can easily monetize them?
There are several ways you could do this. You are only limited by your imagination:
- post your course videos on various learning platforms like KommunityEd, SkillShare, etc. Just Google “teaching websites” or similar to find numerous sites;
- Create your own teaching website (Our sister site, Noticedwebsites.com can help you there) and post your videos there, too;
- Do double duty by also saving powerpoint as a PDF to include with as part of a downloadable ebook or stand alone download on this site or on similar digital product marketplace sites like Etsy, Gumroad, even Amazon Kindle;
- Do double duty on the separate Zoom audio file that’s automatically generated. Can potentially sell that as an audio file/book on digital product marketplaces;
- create your teaching YouTube Channel and if popular, get a share of YouTube’s revenue.
The more places you post your videos to, the more exposure your course videos get and thus more chance for sales 24/7 even while you sleep!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zoom really free for recording online courses?
Yes! Zoom offers a free plan that includes recording capabilities. While there are some limits on meeting duration for group calls, for solo recordings like course videos, it works perfectly.
Can I record my slides and webcam at the same time?
Absolutely. Zoom allows you to share your screen with your slides and records your webcam video in a corner of the screen simultaneously, creating a polished and professional look.
Do I need to edit my videos after recording with Zoom?
Most of the time, you won’t need to do any heavy editing. Zoom produces a clean recording, and you can simply trim the start or end if needed using basic editing software like QuickTime or any video editor.
What if I don’t want to appear on camera?
You can still use Zoom to record your slides without your webcam video. However, including your face helps create a connection with your audience, so consider giving it a try if you feel comfortable.
Can I use this method on any computer?
Yes, Zoom is compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, and the process is very similar across devices.
Final Thoughts
Recording your online course videos doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With Zoom, you get a free, easy-to-use tool that lets you create professional, engaging videos complete with your slides and your face in the corner, all without the need for complicated editing.
So, why not give it a try? Sign up for a free Zoom account, follow the simple steps above, and start creating your course videos today!
Order Your PowerPoint Slides
Fill out the from below for a quick reply or Text/Call 1-604-417-1020 Mon to Thurs, 10-6 pm, PST