Screencasting may seem complicated, but with so many great tools out there, it has become such an easy way to share information! Screencasting involves recording what you are doing on your computer screen, with audio, so you can share this information with others. This is much more descriptive than a handout of directions that includes screenshots. One way to use this tool is to create a “how-to” guide, to teach someone else about a new technology program or tool. It can also be used to share information, such as a slideshow presentation, while adding a more personal touch as you hear the narrator presenting. As far as classroom uses, imagine hearing a child sharing their digital project created during a social studies or science unit. Perhaps students could use a simple digital drawing program, and record details about how to solve math problems. I can see incorporating this into a flipped learning environment, where teachers and students learn information via a demonstration video from home, then spend our class time practicing the skill they learned while having my support. All this is possible, and more, when you utilize the digital tool of screencasting.
There are a so many different options to use when creating a screencast. While there are programs available to purchase, there are also some great screencasting programs that are absolutely free if you are creating short screencasts, such as Techsmith's Snagit, Screencastify and Screencast-O-Matic. You can even create one using Microsoft Power Point using the record feature on the Insert tab and export it as a movie. (That will be a future screencast).
With Snagit and Screencast-O-Matic, I had to download a tool to use on my computer (a MacBook) and I was ready to record. With Screencastify, it added a tool to my Chrome browser and I was ready to go. All three tools are easy to use on a Windows-based PC. I was able to highlight the part of the screen I wanted to record with each program, which helped cut out all the other visual clutter on the screen and just focus on the information I was recording. I used my MacBook’s built in microphone, and I noticed that Snagit was more sensitive to background sounds than Screencast-O-Matic and Screencastify, but that is easily avoidable if you use a headset microphone to record your narration.
When using a screencast to share information with colleagues or students it is important to have a plan before you start recording so you can create your recording in a timely manner. Remember, you want your video to be clear, concise and easy to follow, much like a "how-to" guide would be. This is also a perfect way to teach students the importance of storyboarding, if THEY are the ones creating a screencast. If not, their informational videos might get overshadowed by awkward pauses and random thoughts, instead of sharing the information intended.
While I do create informational guides that can be printed quite a bit, I’m a big fan of screencasting and find I am using this valuable tool more and more to help support students and teachers. There are several examples of screencasts on my site and below is a link to several more I've created using some of my favorite screencasting tools.
Screencasts- How to Use Microsoft Whiteboard
There are a so many different options to use when creating a screencast. While there are programs available to purchase, there are also some great screencasting programs that are absolutely free if you are creating short screencasts, such as Techsmith's Snagit, Screencastify and Screencast-O-Matic. You can even create one using Microsoft Power Point using the record feature on the Insert tab and export it as a movie. (That will be a future screencast).
With Snagit and Screencast-O-Matic, I had to download a tool to use on my computer (a MacBook) and I was ready to record. With Screencastify, it added a tool to my Chrome browser and I was ready to go. All three tools are easy to use on a Windows-based PC. I was able to highlight the part of the screen I wanted to record with each program, which helped cut out all the other visual clutter on the screen and just focus on the information I was recording. I used my MacBook’s built in microphone, and I noticed that Snagit was more sensitive to background sounds than Screencast-O-Matic and Screencastify, but that is easily avoidable if you use a headset microphone to record your narration.
When using a screencast to share information with colleagues or students it is important to have a plan before you start recording so you can create your recording in a timely manner. Remember, you want your video to be clear, concise and easy to follow, much like a "how-to" guide would be. This is also a perfect way to teach students the importance of storyboarding, if THEY are the ones creating a screencast. If not, their informational videos might get overshadowed by awkward pauses and random thoughts, instead of sharing the information intended.
While I do create informational guides that can be printed quite a bit, I’m a big fan of screencasting and find I am using this valuable tool more and more to help support students and teachers. There are several examples of screencasts on my site and below is a link to several more I've created using some of my favorite screencasting tools.
Screencasts- How to Use Microsoft Whiteboard