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Albert S. Cook Library

Student's Guide to Tech

Navigate online learning with confidence! Explore free and freemium tools for every stage of your academic workflow, from organizing notes and writing papers to creating visuals and collaborating with classmates.

Top Tools for Each Production Phase

 This guide walks you through four key steps of the video and presentation process: Recording, editing, formatting, and presenting. Use the tools that work best for you at each stage.

An infographic showing the video creation and engagement process in four color-coded sections with icons.

Phase 1 = Record footage

Record your screen or camera with Clipchamp; it's TU-supported and integrates with your other Microsoft Office applications! As you finalize your video file, be sure to trim sections and add transitions.

Phase 2 = Add visual effects

Clipchamp offers text as well as stock images and music, all within this single app. 

Phase 3 = Add supporting graphics

Import your own media for an even greater creative control! Level up your video or presentation slides with free customizable icons from Noun Project, diagrams from PresentationGO, and templates from SlidesCarnival. 

Phase 4 = Export and engage

Sharing asynchronously? Export the final product as an mp4. For synchronous presentations, get your audience involved with Q&A and polls by Slido. You can even make participation anonymous.

Record Your Screen and Self

All tools share screen, camera, or both and are multi-platform.

Clipchamp vs Loom vs OBS Studio
 Tools Platform Best For Standout Features
Clipchamp (free with NetID) Web Most students and coursework needs Native editing and automatic captions. Basic noise filters (remove pauses, detach audio). Easy to embed in Office 365. Supports up to 1080p.
Loom (freemium) Web or Desktop Students collaborating with professionals or tracking engagement Native editing and automatic captions. Emoji reactions and comments (signed-in users only). Supports up to 720p.
OBS Studio (free and open source) Desktop High-quality, custom video production and streaming No built-in editing or captions. Advanced audio controls (noise gate, multiple sources). Supports live streaming and flexible layouts.
Tip: Clipchamp is the easiest all-in-one option for most TU students. Use OBS if you're confident with audio/video controls or plan to stream.

Edit Your Video

New to video editing?

Start with Clipchamp (free with NetID)! It's easy to use with drag-and-drop editing, auto-captions, and export templates. Great for trimming, adding music, and layering text or graphics. Perfect for course projects and basic video production.

Ready for more control?

Looking to fine-tune your video layout, resolution, or audio? These desktop tools offer more power than Clipchamp—ideal for course projects with specific requirements or creative video production.

VSDC Video Editor VS Shotcut
Feature VSDC Video Editor (free) Shotcut (free and open source)
Best For Windows users who want structured setup and strong text options Cross-platform users preferring open source
Platform Windows only Windows, Mac, Linux
Project Setup Choose final platform (YouTube, Instagram, etc.) before you start; auto-sets resolution/layout Manual configuration; more flexibility but less guidance
Text Editing Advanced control over font, size, timing, animation Limited built-in text tools; best for simple titles or captions
Audio Features Basic editing + visual waveform display More advanced audio filters and multiple track support
Learning Curve Gentler: Asks questions upfront to configure automatically Steeper: More professional interface

A Librarian's Take

Learning Technologies Librarian Brittni Ballard notes: "Before TU offered Clipchamp, I preferred VSDC over Shotcut because it asked me upfront where I planned to share my video and automatically adjusted all the technical settings like resolution and dimensions. This saved me from guessing at optimal video parameters. VSDC also offered better text editing tools for tutorial titles and call-outs. However, if you're on Mac or prefer open-source software, Shotcut is your best bet for advanced features."

Video Editor Interfaces

Screenshot of Clipchamp video editing interface with annotations and timeline.

Clipchamp

The Clipchamp interface features the main workspace in the center with the editing toolbar on the left. Editing options are including "Your media," "Record & create," "Content library," "Templates," "Text," "Transitions," and "Brand kit" on the left with "Captions," "Fade," "Filters," "Effects," "Adjust Colors," and "Speed" on the right. The timeline at the bottom shows various tracks, including the video and text layers. Shapes and text have been added on top of the video. Learn more about editing in Clipchamp with this developer-produced guide.

Screenshot of VSDC interface with a video preview, project explorer, timeline, and properties window.

VSDC

VSDC allows you to add and remove panels to the main workspace. The topmost menu adopts a familiar approach to the Windows ribbon, featuring "Projects," "Scenes," "Editor," "Export project," "Tools," and "Activation." Editing features are displayed in the toolbar below. The main workspace features a video with text overlay and blurring with a panel on the left displaying scenes. The panels to right display Properties and Basic Effects, while the timeline at the bottom features color-coded layers for overlays, video footage, voice audio, and background music. Learn more about editing with VSDC via this user-created tutorial.

Shotcut interface with playlist, preview window, audio meter, and timeline showing multiple video clips and an audio track.

Shotcut

Shotcut allows you to add and remove panels to the main workspace. The topmost menu is simple: "File," "Edit," "View," "Settings," and "Help." Editing actions are displayed in the toolbar below. The main workspace features a video with panels to left displaying the Playlist with thumbnails for each clip. The panel to the right displays the Audio Peak Meter with green bars indicating audio levels, while the timeline at the bottom features various video, audio, and overlays. Learn more about editing with Shotcut via this user-created tutorial.

Build Your Media Library

Stock Photos

Free to use with attribution. Great for: Title slides, transitions, or B-roll imagery.

  • Pixabay: Includes photos, vector graphics, illustrations, and music. Great for mixed-media needs.
  • Pexels: Includes photos and videos. Great for presentations or background visuals.
  • Unsplash: Includes photos, illustrations, and digital artwork, including an Experimental section for more abstract or conceptual visuals.

Icons

Free and customizable.

Diagrams, Maps, and Templates

Present ideas clearly using editable visual templates.

  • MapChart: Customize colors, fonts, and legends plus import data from Excel for geographic presentations.
  • PresentationGO: Diagrams, timelines, and concept maps
  • SlidesCarnival: Beautiful templates for Canva, Google Slides, and PowerPoint
Tip: Make your slides consistent by sticking to one icon and color style. Access TU brand marks, color codes, templates, and more from our Brand Toolkit (NetID required).

Engage the Audience

Quick Decision Guide

Already using Zoom? → Stick with Zoom Polling to avoid extra steps for participants.

Want robust Q&A features? → Choose Slido (follow these steps to login with your TU email address) for threaded discussions and upvoting.

Need a complete presentation platform? → Try Mentimeter for slides plus interaction in one tool.

Zoom Polling vs Slido vs Mentimeter
Tools Best For Features Setup Complexity and Access
Zoom Polling (free with NetID) Presenters already using Zoom who want simple polls or short quizzes Multiple choice, single choice, quiz Built into Zoom—no separate login or browser needed. Great for reducing distractions and accessibility barriers. Only the host can create polls.
Slido (free with NetID) Robust audience Q&A and flexible live polling in a Webex presentation Q&A, multiple choice, ranking, rating, word cloud, quiz, open text Best for sessions with open-ended questions or ranked feedback. Q&A includes upvotes, replies, and nickname/identity options. Not a slide builder; must use alongside Google Slides or PowerPoint.
Mentimeter (freemium) Creating interactive slide decks with embedded engagement features 10+ question types, plus quizzes and slide-based content (images, videos, headings, etc.) Functions as a full presentation tool. Audience Q&A is more limited than Slido. Free plan doesn’t collect names. Requires separate tab or device to participate.