Last week, we hosted a workshop by AFTRS (Australian Film Television and Radio School) on mobile videography. It was a fantastic opportunity for both professional and academic staff to innovate using a powerful tool that most of us carry in our pockets every day. When combined with great storytelling techniques and practical activities, this became an invaluable experience for all who attended. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive—100% of participants rated the workshop as highly valuable.
The sessions were expertly led, with facilitators guiding us through a range of topics that balanced foundational skills with advanced techniques. Participants particularly appreciated the hands-on approach, which allowed them to apply what they learned in real-time and bring it back to their specific areas of expertise.
A key focus of the workshop was mobile videography—an increasingly vital tool in higher education. With the flexibility of mobile devices, educators can easily create high-quality, engaging video content wherever they are, without the need for expensive or bulky equipment. This agility is especially beneficial for distance education, where short, impactful videos can add a personal, immersive element to online learning. In the UNE context, where student engagement is critical, mobile videography enables educators to quickly create context-specific content, responding to students’ needs and enhancing the overall learning experience.
Mobile footage being taken in the workshop.
Attendee, Greg Dorrian, reviewing and editing his shots from his mobile device.
Mobile videography also opens up new possibilities for storytelling. As many of the attendees learned, it’s not just about capturing footage but about shaping that footage into a narrative that supports learning outcomes. This aligns perfectly with UNE’s commitment to innovative teaching practices, where dynamic, visually engaging content can help explain complex concepts and foster a deeper connection with students. Many academics are already doing this, and the workshop provided a refreshing boost to enhance these skills.
One of the key highlights came from Janelle Wilkes, who shared her reflection on how the workshop shifted her perspective:
“The AFTRS workshop was a self-affirming and thought-provoking experience, as I was already employing many of the techniques that were discussed. However, my thinking was challenged by a new perspective, of considering teaching videos as a story. I’ve often included a contextualised introduction, such as walking into a laboratory or a paddock, to prepare students for learning. While I wasn’t entirely sure of the value of this approach before, the workshop emphasised how important it is to engage students right from the start. Setting the context helps frame their mindset for learning and creates a strong foundation for understanding.”
– Janelle Wilkes
The positive feedback we received underscores the importance of continuously refining our video production techniques to better engage and support our students in their learning journey. We look forward to applying these insights in our upcoming projects, using mobile videography to enrich the educational experience at UNE.
Below is an example of what was created during the workshop—an interview with overlays, storytelling elements, and background music, all edited entirely on a mobile device. Special thanks to Richard Jordan for sharing his video.