
Q3 Screencasting
Direct link to this video on YouTube (2:10)
A screencast is a super sweet tool that helps you record anything on your computer screen (see video above). Your challenge is to create a video screencast documenting your message using a computing device, microphone and script.
Advantages
- Works great for doing web based tutorials
- Works great for step-by-step explanations
- Create homework help, problem/solution videos, visual presentations that mark up on the screen
- Easy to create
- Easy to embed or put on a webpage
Disadvantages
- Editing may be limited or nonexistent; get it right or start over
- Works best for short explanations; longer ideas or concepts may need a different medium
5 Tips For a Good Screencast
1. Review the following Five Tips for a Good Screencast:
- Know your topic well. You will sound like an expert in your delivery and feel more comfortable when recording.
- Keep it simple. Three minutes or less is all that you need. Cancel the fluff and blank space. You may want to use the Online Stopwatch as a resource.
- Plan It. Script it with a short introduction telling what the video is about, follow that with the short and sweet demonstration, and do a quick review at the end.
- Gift of your Voice. Talk like you are having a conversation with your best friend, with enthusiasm in your voice. Try to be as natural as possible.
- Practice, practice, practice. Rehearsing several times. Stop wiggling your mouse! Your screencast records everything. Move it away if you are not pointing to a specific talking point.
Note: Filler words like uh, um and but are distracting to your audience.
Screencast applications and tutorials
Screencasting Applications
Select and learn about a screencasting tool. Check with your teacher for the appropriate program or app to use for this activity that will work on your device.
Resource Name |
Device |
Description |
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Chromebook |
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Loom |
Android, iPad, iPhone |
Loom is a video messaging tool that helps you get your message across through instantly shareable videos. A screen recorder for Mac, Windows, Chrome, iOS, and Android. |
ShowMe App
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Steps for your first screencast
1. For this first attempt plan on approximately 10 minutes to complete a practice draft recording.
2. Go to a web site (school appropriate) about a favorite topic (sports, music, etc.) or use a topic already selected
3. Think about what you will explain and point to it with your mouse on the screen
4. Do a practice run without recording until you are comfortable and it flows well.
5. Use the screencasting application you selected.
Point out things with your mouse
Tell your listeners why you really like the things you selected
Be enthusiastic
Record only for one minute or two
6. Play it back and see how it worked. You may want to try it again and make a few improvements. Turn to a partner for a helpful critique.
7. Download and or save it, or the link to the recording to share with your teacher.
Return to Creative Communications Q3 main page
Websites and Documents
Screencasting Apps & Extensions
These are some apps from the apple store that can be used for screencasting and recording. The Google store will have similar ones.
- Educreations Whiteboard App
- Educreations: RMS Titanic project by a student
- Screencastify Chrome Extension
- ShowMe Interactive Whiteboard App
- Showme: Video Tutorial on YouTube