Recording video presentations

At NCI, students have access to a range of tools that can be used to record your screen, presentations, demonstrations, or other digital content. These include built-in Microsoft 365 tools and other supported applications. This guide explains the main recording options available, outlining what each tool is best suited for, along with their strengths and limitations, so you can choose the most appropriate one for your assessment or project.

If you are creating a recording for an assessment (e.g a presentation, software demo, reflective submission, or practical demonstration) that must be submitted via Moodle, it is important to follow your lecturer’s specific instructions first. Different modules may have particular requirements around format, length, visibility settings, or file naming conventions.

Uploading Your Recording to Moodle

In most cases:

• If your final video file is under 100MB, you can upload it directly to Moodle through the assignment submission area:

  • Go to the relevant assignment.

  • Click Add submission.

  • Drag and drop your file into the upload box (or use the file picker).

  • Ensure the file has fully uploaded before clicking Save changes and then Submit assignment (if required).

  • Wait for the confirmation screen and keep a copy of the submission receipt.

• If your file is over 100MB, you should not attempt to upload it directly to Moodle, as it may fail or time out. Instead:

  1. Upload the file to your NCI OneDrive or SharePoint.

  2. Once uploaded, right-click the file and select Share.

  3. Generate a link with the correct permissions (typically “Anyone at NCI with the link can view,” unless your lecturer specifies otherwise).

  4. Copy the link.

  5. Paste the link into a Word document or directly into the Moodle assignment submission text box (if enabled).

  6. Double-check the link works in a private/incognito browser window before submitting.

Important Tips

• Ensure your video has fully uploaded to OneDrive before sharing the link.

• Check that permissions are set correctly — if your lecturer cannot access the file, your submission may be considered incomplete.

• Do not remove or rename the file after submission.

• Keep a backup copy of your recording until results have been released.

If you are unsure which method to use, check your module handbook or contact your lecturer in advance of the deadline. Planning ahead will help avoid last-minute upload issues.

We recommend choosing a tool based on what you are recording (e.g. a live presentation, a narrated PowerPoint, or a standalone demo) and how you plan to share the finished video. The video below shows a quick guide for each option, and the remaining article compares when/where to use. Ultimately the best choice is whatever you are comfortable with, and teachingenhancement@ncirl.ie are happy to support you if you have queries.

Quick Comparison

1. Microsoft Clipchamp

Best for: Quick standalone recordings (screen, camera, or both) with light editing.

• Pros:

  • Simple, user-friendly interface.

  • Can record screen only, camera only, or both.

  • Built-in trimming and basic editing.

  • Exports directly to OneDrive for easy sharing.

• Cons:

  • Limited advanced editing features.

  • Not ideal for recording live teaching sessions.

  • Requires exporting before sharing.

2. Microsoft PowerPoint Recording

Best for: Recording narrated slide decks for asynchronous presentation.

• Pros:

  • Record directly inside your slide deck.

  • Narration, video, and ink annotations sync with slides.

  • Each slide's narration is saved separately, making it easy to re-record individual slides.

  • Exports to video (MP4) for upload to Moodle/OneDrive/Stream.

• Cons:

  • Screen recording outside of PowerPoint is limited.

  • Editing options are basic.

  • Larger presentations may result in large file sizes.

3. Microsoft Teams Recording

Best for: Recording live presentations, podcasts or meetings.

• Pros:

  • Records the full meeting, including shared screen and participants (if permitted).

  • Automatically saved to OneDrive/SharePoint with correct permissions.

  • Easy to share with others via Moodle or link.

• Cons:

  • Less control over layout (recording shows what attendees see).

  • Includes all meeting content (chat, participants, etc.).

  • Editing requires downloading and re-uploading the file.

Choosing the Right Tool

• Need to record a live presentation or meeting with others present? → Use Teams.

• Want to create narrated slides for upload to Moodle? → Use PowerPoint Recording.

• Need a short demo, explainer, or camera/screen combo? → Use Clipchamp.