Creating Online
Tutorials
with
Screencasting
Beth Carpenter, OWLS
Stef Morrill, SCLS

What is
Screencasting?

Screen•cast skrēn kast n a movie
that captures the display from a
computer screen along with someone
talking about what’s being shown.
This might take the form of a formal
narrated Powerpoint presentation, a
software demo, or an informal walk-
through of a particular concept.*
* Definition from http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/training/page6885.cfm

A movie....

...that captures the display from a computer
screen.....

...along with someone talking about what's being
shown.

A formal narrated Powerpoint
presentation...

a software demo...

or an informal walk-through
of a particular concept...

Why
Screencasting?

People have different learning styles

People learn at different speeds

People learn at different times and in different
places

People look different places for help

People are busy

People want their privacy

People want a human touch

Examples

Camtasia Settings for YouTube Best Results

Using Truncation (Library Instruction)

Placing a Hold...
So Easy, But Can a Caveman Do It?

InfoSoup
• 7 screencasts hosted on blip.tv
• online catalog help
• linked & embedded in help pages in opac
• embedded in blog posts and member
library web sites
4,373 views
http://infosoup.blip.tv/

How?

You will need...
• computer
• microphone or headset
• screencasting tool
• a host
Excellent getting started article at
http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/training/page6885.cfm

Screencasting Tools
• Camtasia $
• Jing
• ScreenCastle
• ScreenToaster
• + lots of other options (see Wikipedia list)

Time for Demos!

Hosts
• Screencast.com
• YouTube
• Blip.TV
• Vimeo
• Viddler

Tips

Tip #1
plan, but don't script

Tip #2
control your mouse

Tip #3
record your screen actions
first - add audio later

Tip #4
embrace imperfection

Tip #5
be enthusiastic,
share your passion!

Tip #6
be brief

Tip #7
consider adding captions

Tip #8
save your outtakes

Questions?

Beth Carpenter, OWLS
bcarpent@mail.owls.lib.wi.us
Stef Morrill, SCLS
smorrill@scls.lib.wi.us

All photos used under the Creative Commons
license.
Photo credits:
http://www.flickr.com/photos http://www.flickr.com/photo
/wonderlane/1425117940/ s/iiiii/3078375045/
http://www.flickr.com/photos
/87777282@N00/87075666/
http://www.flickr.com/photos
/bastard_admin/1095001183/
http://www.flickr.com/photos
/kalleboo/2215469666/