A screencast is a super sweet tool that helps you record anything on your computer screen. Your challenge is to create a video screencast documenting your message using a computing device, microphone and script.

GENERAL Steps 

1.  Your goal is to create a video using one of the application tools listed in the Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Media Document (or an alternate you identify with your teacher).

2. Refer to your Create & Plan document and the supporting detail you are going to address. You may find writing a script, storyboard, or drawing a draft of you ideas to be helpful.  

3. Ask yourself if creating a video is the best media choice for your message, and reflect realistically about how much time you have to work on it, and to keep it to three minutes or less to keep the attention of your audience.

4. Play and explore the software tool until you are comfortable enough to begin creating and editing your video. Note: Save your work frequently as you work.

5. Show your idea and video to another classmate or your teacher to make sure it communicates your message clearly. You may decide that this tool is not the best choice for this project plan. You can look at the other media applications.

6. When done, download or copy the link provided to share it with your teacher.


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

Welcome to ScreenPal (2:10)

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.

Screencasting Applications

  • Learn about screencasting tools. 
  • Check with your teacher for the appropriate program or app to use for this activity that will work on your device. 

The Advantages & Disadvantages Document has additional information, video tutorials, and resources about the following free screencasting applications:

Steps for your first screencast

1. For this first attempt plan on approximately 10 minutes to complete a practice draft recording.

2. Create a script: play this scripting video Scripting Your Podcast (1:42) that provides helpful tips for writing scripts.

3. Think about what you will explain and point to it with your mouse on the screen as you do the recording.

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 about the details for your message
  • Be enthusiastic
  • Record only for one minute or two minutes

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.