Descript is a powerful AI-driven video editing tool that allows for video editing in three different ways: text in a script, a canvas that incorporates presentation slides and a timeline editor for more refined work. Whether uploading text, or a video, in Script mode a transcript is created that drives the editing process through a text-based editor. The ability to export the transcript is also helpful for meeting accessibility requirements. The Slides view shows the “scenes” that are, or will become, the visual parts of the video. Similar to how presentation programs work, text and other effects can be added to the scene. Audio recordings can be done directly in the program or added as separate files to each scene. Additionally, Descript’s “Underlord” AI tool can use selected text from the script to find stock art to be embedded into the slides. Adding transitions, editing audio and modifying layers through the timeline editor are simplified in this tool yet produce quality results. While there are many features to this tool, below Dr. Chris Stiles, Program Vice Chair for Mechanical Engineering at EP, shares his experience in using Descript to create his video lecture content.
Chris Stiles, Ph.D. is the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Group Chief Scientist at JHU’s Applied Physics Laboratory.
As an educator constantly striving to improve my course materials, I’ve found Descript to be an invaluable tool in my content creation process. It is powerful audio and video editing software which has revolutionized the way I produce and refine my lectures, saving time while significantly enhancing the overall quality of my recorded lectures. One of the most striking benefits of Descript is its ability to streamline the editing process. The software allows me to easily remove filler words like “umm” and “ah,” adjust pauses in my speech, and correct any mistakes or changes I want to make using its AI-powered voice correction capability. This feature alone has dramatically improved the clarity and professionalism of my lectures.
What sets Descript apart (for me) is its efficiency and intuitive, easy to use interface that makes audio or video editing accessible even for those without extensive experience. I’ve found that using Descript has significantly reduced the time I spend on post-production. What used to take hours of meticulous editing can now be accomplished in a fraction of the time, allowing me to allocate more time on developing engaging content and interactive elements for my courses.
While I primarily use Descript for its video editing capabilities, the software offers a wealth of other features that can be incredibly useful for educators. These include accurate automatic transcription for creating captions or written versions of lectures, built-in screen recording for software tutorials, multi-track editing for integrating multiple audio/video sources, collaboration tools for working with teaching assistants or co-instructors, robust video editing capabilities, and a dubbing feature for creating short audio clips in your voice. The filler word detection feature automatically highlights filler words, making it easier to create more polished content. I do recommend listening through and accepting/rejecting them individually. Additionally, while impressive, the AI voice correction isn’t perfect and may require some fine-tuning for optimal results (i.e., it will not provide a voice with tone or enthusiasm, so use the dubbing feature for that). However, these minor drawbacks are far outweighed by the benefits of Descript.
Incorporating Descript into my workflow has allowed me to take the quality level of my course materials to new heights, all while saving valuable time. Its combination of intuitive editing tools and AI-powered features makes it an exceptional asset for educators looking to enhance their digital content and/or in the creation of entirely new courses. As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of online and hybrid learning, tools like Descript are proving instrumental in delivering high-quality educational experiences to our students.
Please note: Dr. Stiles personally purchased his Descript license. If you are interested in exploring this tool for a course development, please contact your assigned instructional designer or Olysha Magruder at [email protected].