Multimedia content, such as infographics, animations, and video demonstrations, enriches trade lessons by presenting information in engaging, visual formats. This supports UDL’s Representation principle and helps all students, including those with low literacy, understand key concepts. In your equipment safety lesson, multimedia can clarify tool safety procedures and make complex ideas more accessible to learners with diverse needs, ensuring that each student can engage with content effectively.

This section introduces four tools you can utilise to create engaging multimedia content for your trade lessons. Together, these tools support a variety of formats, including slides, posters, videos, animations, and screen recordings, with free versions to teach effectively, even with limited budgets or internet access.

1. PowerPoint: You can use PowerPoint to record your screen while narrating your slides. This is perfect for step-by-step tutorials or explaining safety procedures. Once recorded, the lesson can be saved as an MP4 video and shared with your students online or offline. If you have Microsoft Office installed on your computer, PowerPoint includes the screen recording feature by default. You can also access a free version of PowerPoint from here, although some features may be limited. It’s simple to use and a great option if you are just starting out with digital content.
2. OBS Studio Similar to PowerPoint, you can use OBS Studio to record your screen for trade lessons or demonstrations. However, OBS Studio is completely free and open-source, making it a cost-effective option for educators. It works without internet once installed. Compared to PowerPoint, OBS offers additional control and advanced features, such as combining multiple video sources and adding scene transitions. In the Try It Yourself section below, you’ll find video tutorials that walk you through using PowerPoint and OBS Studio for screen recording. These will help you decide which tool best fits your teaching style and classroom needs.
3. Canva (https://www.canva.com/): If you completed Module 0, you’ll already be familiar with Canva and how it can support your trade teaching. If you started from Module 1, you might like to revisit the Canva section in Module 0 here. It includes a short video tutorial and helpful notes to get you started. You can use Canva to design colourful infographics, posters, and other learning visuals that make your lessons more engaging. Its drag-and-drop interface is easy to use, even for those with limited digital experience. You can download your designs as PDFs, PNGs, or MP4s (for animations) to share offline, or generate a link to share them online.
4. Animaker (https://www.animaker.com/) You can use Animaker to create short animated videos that show key processes in your trade, such as how to safely operate machinery or follow equipment procedures. Its simple, cloud-based editor makes it easy to add characters, voiceovers, and movement. The free plan lets you export up to five videos per month in standard definition (720p), which is usually enough for classroom use. These exports include a small Animaker watermark. You can download your animations as MP4s or GIFs to share offline, or use a link to share them online. An internet connection is required while editing your videos.