Preparing for and Participating in the 2/19/26 UTA Technology Test Kitchen Where Innovation is the main ingredient

Topic: Lights, Mic, Action! Creating Engaging Explainer Videos & Podcasts

(30 minutes)

We are thrilled that you will be joining us on February 19, 2026 for a new, collaborative adventure--the UTA Technology Test Kitchen in the lobby of Trinity Hall/Trinity 112, or Trinity 105, at your designated time between 1:00-2:30 pm.

NOTE: Please review the pre-work below before the session! Description: Step into our studio‑style Test Kitchen for a supportive, engaging, and hands‑on space where faculty can quickly experiment with creating polished explainer videos and mini‑podcasts using Adobe Express and Adobe Podcast. This session focuses on simple, repeatable workflows that enhance clarity and student engagement while keeping the learning curve gentle for everyone. Ideal for faculty looking to make complex ideas more visual, audible, and accessible. Faculty are welcome to stay the full time or drop in briefly—whatever fits your schedule. Join us in being creative with teaching as an Adobe Creative Campus! Key resource: Information about the UTA syllabus template is here. Please be sure you understand all syllabus requirements: Syllabus Resources - Office of the Provost - The University of Texas at Arlington *If you cannot participate in the Technology Test Kitchen you can still participate on your own by reading through these tasks and completing them on your own! Please take a close look at these preparation instructions. Please complete these steps no later than February 19, 2026 if you are attending the test kitchen event in person. Visit the CRTLE Adobe Resources page (recommended pre‑read).

STEP 1: Hardware, Wifi, and Software Prep (5-15 minutes)

  • Prepare and bring a laptop computer with a power charger and WiFi connectivity. The UTA Technology Test Kitchen will have essential hands-on moments throughout. A laptop is highly preferable to a tablet. Laptops can be checked out of the UTA Central Libraries:  Laptops | UTA Libraries. We will also have access to computers at the Test Kitchen but these are limited. Please make sure you can access UTA wifi once you are on campus:  Wireless Network – Office of Information Technology – The University of Texas at Arlington.
  • Triple-check to ensure you have rock-solid access to Adobe Express through your campus log-in protocol. In other words, use your campus SSO to confirm that you can access Adobe Express. You can click this URL to test: http://express.adobe.com
  • If you would like you can also re‑enable your Adobe Creative Cloud license (recommended) through: 🔗 go.uta.edu/adobe-opt-in

STEP 2: Customize Your Digital Name Tag Before the Session (5-15 minutes)

  • Only do this if you did not do this for prior Test Kitchens!
  • Open the Remixable Template at: https://tinyurl.com/Adobe2025ASU
  • Click the blue Remix button in the top-right corner.
  • Replace the placeholder text with your first name, last name, and institution's name.
  • Click the text-to-image icon in the middle of the empty image pane until you see the Generate Image menu pop-up on the left. Be sure to update the university name, too!
  • In the box beneath Describe what you'd like to see, type in a generative AI prompt to create an image that represents the kind of academic innovation that you aspire to create on your campus.
  • A resource for prompting is here (highly recommend. Give it a skim/read): Adobe Firefly Prompt Guide
  • Click Generate.
  • Iterate the prompt and (re)Generate until you like it.
  • When you are finished iterating, click the grey Download button in the top-right (next to the Share button) and use the default PNG format to download.
  • Optional--Post the downloaded file to Nakesha Brown (nakesha.brown@uta.edu),Beth Fleener (Beth.Fleener@uta.edu) and Peggy Semingson (peggys@uta.edu) by February 19, 2026 (or anytime) and post it in the Teams channel. Click here to join the Teams channel.
  • A tutorial video on how to do the name tag, featuring Dr. Beth Fleener from CRTLE is here: Name Tag Adobe

STEP 3: The Task for the 2/19 Test Kitchen: Creating an Explainer Video or Podcast

Pre-Reading (Brief): If you are attending the Test Kitchen event in person on 2/19/26, you can preview this. If you are participating on your own (asynchronously) follow the directions below to learn and participate. You can use this to participate in the The Chef's Challenge for recognition! Before the session, think about one short teaching moment you might want to turn into a video or mini‑podcast. This could be:

  • A brief concept explanation
  • A weekly announcement or course introduction
  • A study tip or reminder for students
  • An overview of an assignment or project
  • A frequently asked question students struggle with

This does not need to be polished or finalized—just a starting point. What Not to Worry About

  • You do not need to script anything in advance
  • You do not need prior video or podcast experience
  • You do not need to finish a “perfect” product

The Test Kitchen is designed for low‑pressure experimentation, quick wins, and practical workflows you can reuse later. Browse the resources on Adobe Express (video options) and Adobe Podcasts:

The Task

How to Make a Video in Adobe Express

Using Templates with Text OR Templates with Voiceover to start with. If you are more experienced or have more time you can create your own video content using a webcam or phone camera and "replace" the template content with your own video.

Option A: Video Using a Template + Text (No Voiceover)

·       Example: Tips for Online Learners #5: Reach out for Help Open Adobe Express https://new.express.adobe.com and select Video. Filter by Video and choose a template by using search terms such as an explainer, lesson, or announcement. Click Create from this template. ·        Click on existing text in the template and replace it with your own content. Adjust font, size, color, and simple animations as needed. ·        Optional: Replace images or videos in the template by selecting the media frame and choosing Replace to upload your own visuals or use Adobe stock assets. ·        Preview your video and download it as an MP4 when ready. Upload to Canvas Studio (add closed captions) or YouTube (add closed captions) and share!

Option B: Video Using a Template + Voiceover

·        Start with a video template in Adobe Express, just as in Option A. ·        Keep on-screen text minimal. Think of each slide or scene as one spoken idea. ·        Add a voiceover by selecting Add Audio and recording your voice directly, or by uploading an existing audio file. ·        Optional: Use a text-to-speech or AI voiceover add-on to generate narration from written text. You can use AI to write your video "script". ·        Adjust slide timing to match your narration, preview the full video, and download as an MP4.

Helpful Teaching Tips

·        Keep videos short (20 seconds–2 minutes works well). ·        Focus on clarity over polish. ·        Templates save time—reuse them across weeks or semesters. ·        Voiceover plus minimal text supports accessibility and engagement. by selecting Add Audio and recording your voice directly, or by uploading an existing audio file. ·        Optional: Use a text-to-speech or AI voiceover add-on to generate narration from written text. ·        Adjust slide timing to match your narration, preview the full video, and download as an MP4. Publish! Preview then Publish your Portfolio. Select share -> Publish to Web -> Create link, then copy your shareable link.

Making a Podcast with Adobe Podcast (Very Basic)

What You Need

·        A computer and a microphone (built-in is fine) ·        A quiet space ·        Your UTA / Adobe login: Adobe Podcast | AI audio recording and editing, all on the web Or, you can log in to the Adobe Creative Cloud using your Adobe credentials.

Record Your Podcast

·        Open Adobe Podcast and sign in. ·        Click Create New or Record Audio. ·        Check that your microphone works (sound bar moves when you speak). ·        Click Record, speak clearly, then click Stop when finished. ·        Mistakes are okay—pause and keep going.

Clean Up and Share

·        Click Enhance Speech to improve audio quality. ·        Download the audio file or share the link. ·        Upload to Canvas or another platform as needed.

Helpful Tips

·        Keep it short (1–5 minutes). ·        Talk like you are speaking to one student. ·        Clear audio matters more than being perfect.

STEP 4 (Optional): Preview the Recipe Cards and the Adobe Firefly Prompting Tips

If you cannot attend the live session, review the prompting tips for Adobe Firefly (Generative AI) and the recipe cards to try on your own! Be sure to join the Chef's Challenge Teams area to earn recognition and prizes! Click here to join the Chef's Challenge Team! General | The Chef's Challenge Team | Microsoft Teams About the Chef's Challenge: Chef’s Challenge and Faculty Recognition - CRTLE - The University of Texas at Arlington

Additional Resources for this Session:

Adobe Express Tutorial Videos on YouTube: Adobe Express - YouTube

General Links

Credits:

Created with an image by bnenin - "Microphone and computer in the recording studio."