In this step, you will find examples and an explanation of each video format, but remember: video making is a creative process, so don’t let formats limit your imagination. Build on them to find and create your own style that fits your message.

You can quite simply make videos with your webcam or smartphone. This format is used mostly when you want to give a quick response or update.

Community event

This format can include interviews and discussions. Usually two or more people are recorded. However, sometimes you only see the interviewee, and the questions may appear as text on the screen. This format is usually used outside of the studio. So feel free to think of a place which best fits your n…

A web lecture in most cases shows a recorded lecture, often in combination with interactive slides or a blackboard. The lecture recording can be made available afterwards or streamed live for students who cannot attend the live lecture.

A talking head is a video in which the presenter is recorded from the waist up. This format usually includes visual aids like slides, a board, an object or an animation. This can be recorded in your office, at home or in the studio. If you consider recording in your office or at home, you might want…

From the start of your PhD you make agreements with your supervisors concerning your personal development and the supervision you receive. These agreements should be recorded in a Training and Supervision Plan. This plan contains agreements concerning your research, supervision, training, and potential…

What distinguishes a documentary from other formats is that it uses people and situations in real life to give voice to different opinions, provide a statement on a societal phenomenon and/or give insight into a world that is not easily accessible. If you want to record a documentary, it is important…

Didactics

The layout of a dissertation must meet certain requirements. Special rules also apply if the dissertation was written with others or if a commercial edition will be published.

A fiction film portrays a narrative with well thought out characters as realistically as possible with the use of actors, lighting and decor. The strength of a fiction film is being able to relay a deeper meaning in an entertaining and artistic way.

When you use a screencast, you record the changes on your computer screen, and enhance this with a voice over. You can use different supporting software & hardware, like PowerPoint or a drawing tablet. In some cases this is used in combination with a webcam recording or an animation.

Animation is a fun way to explain complicated theories and concepts, in which the visual aid plays a central role and is based around a storyline. An animation can be a stand-alone video with a voice-over but can also be used as part of a talking head video or screencast.

Transferable skills, Career development

Are you a senior lecturer and do you play an active role in the university’s educational development and innovation? If so, you are eligible for the Senior Teaching Qualification (SKO). This qualification shows that you possess strong didactic and educational skills and that you contribute to the development…

Whatever editing programme you choose to work with, an editing project generally follows the same workflow. Below you will find more information about each step in the editing process.

Before you start creating text and visual content for your educational video, make sure you have a clear picture of your learning objectives and how you are going to assess these. When you have established these, you can further develop what you want to teach. Keep in mind that there is already a lot…

Didactics

Demonstrations can be used to show and explain a skill or procedure in a setting from practice, like a lab or (fictitious) courtroom.

Teachers at Leiden University are experts in their field and passionate about educating students in their discipline. It is also important that they can work effectively as a member of a team, together with colleagues and students, and that they feel committed to our organisation. We will therefore…

Audio podcasts or audio recordings have a broad range of opportunities in education. Podcasts can be used to transfer knowledge (audio lectures), record interviews, record instructions for a field trip or to make a short radio documentary on location. Podcasts are a flexible medium, the small file size…

Personal development, Transferable skills

If you wish to start a project site for a temporary Leiden University project, or if you need a new domain name, please apply to the Functional Web Management department.

For the academic year 2025-2026, nine (teams of) teachers will receive a Grassroots or Grass shoots grant. Here you can read about their projects.

Follow these steps to start a new mailing or newsletter.

Leiden University guides PhD candidates step by step from the start to the defence. You will find more information here about admission, the PhD track, and completion, as well as answers to questions such as: what conditions must I meet? What requirements must my dissertation meet? And what is involved…

Research, Didactics, Career development

Explanation of improvements and additions to templates and blocks.

Leiden University offers practical support and advice for professional communication. Here you will find all the guidelines and tools you need to get started immediately, as well as answers to questions such as: How do you apply the house style? Where can I find suitable imagery? And who can I turn…

An organisation the size of Leiden University requires careful internal communication.