Recording learning sessions is a powerful way to review, analyze, and optimize the educational experience for both the instructor and the trainee. Whether you're a therapist, tutor, or special education professional, capturing the right data is key to making informed decisions. This guide will walk you through the essential steps, from understanding different session types to setting up your camera for maximum insight, all within the context of using vidukate.ai for analysis.

Understanding Learning Session Types

Not all learning sessions are equal. The way you record should be tailored to what you need to observe. We can categorize sessions into three main types based on their primary focus:

• Content-focused sessions (The Assignment)
• Trainee-focused sessions (The Behavior)
• Combined sessions (Content & Behavior)

Content-Focused Sessions (The Assignment)

Goal: To analyze how the trainee interacts with and completes the assigned work.

What to Observe: Focus on the trainee's process, methods, errors, and interaction with the materials.

Examples: Assignments in subjects like writing skills, math, art, or any task where the physical output and method of creation are important.

Trainee-Focused Sessions (The Behavior)

Goal: To analyze the trainee's responses, emotions, and non-verbal communication.

What to Observe: Pay close attention to facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and immediate reactions to prompts or challenges.

Examples: Speech therapy sessions, occupational therapy (OT) sessions, counseling, or any session primarily focused on social, emotional, or communication development.

Combined Sessions (Content & Behavior)

Goal: To simultaneously analyze task completion and the associated behavioral or emotional responses. This is the most complex type.

What to Observe: It's critical to capture the moment-to-moment interplay between the assignment and the trainee's behavior. For instance, how does a difficult problem affect their focus? What behaviors emerge when frustration sets in?

Examples: Sessions for trainees with various behavioral disorders, such as analyzing the behaviors of individuals on the autism spectrum during a content-based task (e.g., a math assignment). These recordings are invaluable for identifying specific triggers, helpful coping mechanisms, and disruptive behaviors that need to be addressed in future session planning.

Camera placement tips 

Content-Focused Sessions Camera Setup

Placement: Position the camera to capture a clear, overhead, or close-up view of the workspace and the materials the trainee is interacting with (paper, screen, art project). Sometimes, moving the camera to the opposite side of the dominant hand helps with a clear view of the worksheet.

Focus: Ensure the content itself is in sharp focus.

Goal: The primary feed should be the process of working on the assignment, and the output of the assignment itself.

Trainee-Focused Sessions Camera Placement

Placement: The camera should be positioned directly in front of the trainee (but not so close as to be distracting) at eye level, ensuring that their face and upper torso are fully visible. If the assignment involves object manipulation, make sure hands are captured too. Capturing hand gestures - whether they are communicative or self-regulatory - provides important information that may help describe the results of the session captured on the video or even suggest changes for future sessions.

Focus: Maintain a clear view of the face to capture subtle expressions, eye movement, and mouth/speech articulation.

Goal: The primary feed should be the trainee’s reactions and body language.

Combined Sessions Camera Placement

Placement: This setup often requires a wider-lens camera on the phone or the use of a taller tripod. Position the camera to capture the worksheet AND the trainee’s upper body.

Goal: Essentially, in this case, you are trying to achieve content- and trainee-focused session capture results at the same time.