How I Created My First Instructional Video in an Hour Using AI
My Students Responded: 90% Rated It Positive or Very Positive
How AI Tools Can Enable Instructors to Create Short Instructional Videos Easily
Short, well-designed instructional videos can be useful to promote students’ engagement in the classroom. Videos can also be used to distill complex ideas into clear, accessible formats that support flexible, self-paced learning. In this post, I would like to share how I created my first instructional video using AI tools. Note that I had never made videos before except for using my smart phone. Basically, I used:
A custom GPT to generate a script by uploading my lecture slides,
An AI-powered video-generating platform to create a 3-min interactive video by uploading the narrative and the slides and adding a few quiz questions.
I completed the entire task in an hour, including reviewing the AI-generated narrative for accuracy and editing the video for its overall flow.
Step 1: From Slides to Script with BIO181_Ch14 GPT
I began with my lecture slides for the topic “The History behind DNA.” To generate a script, I used BIO181_Ch14 GPT, a custom chatbot that I created previously. The GPT is trained on Chapter 14 of our OpenStax Biology 2e textbook and is available for students’ use as AI Assistant. I prompted the GPT to generate a clear, 3-minute narrative using the uploaded slides as an outline. As always with AI-generated content, I reviewed and revised the output to ensure scientific accuracy, conceptual clarity, and alignment with my instructional intent. Also, I edited the tone and pacing were appropriate for my students.
Step 2: From Script to Video with Elai.io
Once the script was finalized, I turned to Elai.io—an AI-powered video creation platform, which I heard about from my learning technologist collaborator (Dr. Wei Li). I uploaded the script and the slides and generated an avatar presenter using my portrait. The platform synchronized the narration with slide transitions and produced a clean, polished video that looked and sounded professional. Also, I added a few multiple-choice questions to make the video to be interactive. Check out my first video! The entire production process took less than one hour. I had to subscribe to the Elai platform’s monthly plan at $23 to unlock sufficient-length video option.
Students’ Response to My Video
After showing the video, I asked students using Poll Everywhere to rate the learning activity. The results showed clear support:
37% rated it “Very Positive”
53% rated it “Positive”
11% said “Neutral”
0% reported “Negative” and “Very Negative”
Students also shared open-ended comments.
· “It explained things well… also strange.”
· “It was unique and a fun way to learn about the topic.”
· “I liked how the face also moved in the corner.”
· “Really easy to listen to.”
· “It was great. No complaints.”
· “The visuals were helpful, and I’ll probably rewatch it before the test.”
A few described the format as “different” or “a little off-putting,” but still effective. I am guessing these comments were pertinent to the voice and facial movement of my portrait-based avatar, being different from how I talk and look. Taken together, the comments indicated that students not only accepted this new instructional format, but were actively engaged with it.
Reflection and Projection
I found this self-learning experience encouraging and illuminating. Certainly, this experience shows that instructional video creation can be done rather easily using commercially available AI Tools. Importantly, initial data indicate that I can get students’ attention in the classroom using a short video, not an easy task with Gen-Z students. I foresee that AI tools will enable instructors to create instructional videos and integrate into learning activities in time- and cost-effective, authentic ways.