This document summarizes a presentation on screencasting software and its uses. It discusses how screencasting can be used to provide demonstrations, lectures, feedback, and for staff training and marketing. It reviews several free and paid screencasting programs and their features. It provides tips on preparing, rehearsing, and recording an effective screencast. Finally, it discusses possibilities for content that can be covered through screencasting and options for distributing screencasts.

1. In brief: Screencasting
A tour of screencasting software and it’s uses
Phil Hardcastle
Lyn Lall
March 6, 2012 | slide 1

2. Screencasting
 Example screencasts
http://www.leicestershirevillages.com/syston/family-hist
March 6, 2012 | slide 2

3. How have you used it?
 Used to
a) Provide practical demonstration of how to do something on the
computer
b) Provide a commentary with pictures
c) Provide a mini-lecture with notes
d) Provide feedback on work submitted
e) Staff development – e.g. Norwich College
f) Marketing your course or organisation
March 6, 2012 | slide 3

4. How have you used it?
 Poll
March 6, 2012 | slide 4

5. The software
 Web applications
– Screenr
– Screencastomatic
 Free software
– Camstudio
– ActivePresenter Free Edition
– BB Flashback Express
– Jing
– Record my desktop (Linux)
– Wink
 Paid for software
– Camtasia/Jing Pro/SnagIT
– Captivate
– BSR Screenrecorder
March 6, 2012 | slide 5

6. Which software have you used?
March 6, 2012 | slide 6

7. Preparation
 Find a quiet place
 Take the phone off the hook, put your
mobile on silent.
 A microphone attached to a headset
gives good results – it’s easy to
speak normally.
March 6, 2012 | slide 7

8. Preparation
 A short explanation of a process
with which you are familiar can be
done on the fly without much prep.
 Scripts are worth doing if it is a long
presentation. You’ll find it easier to
keep a relaxed but lively delivery if you
are not thinking about which words to
use. Write in a style which reflects
your normal spoken delivery.
 Keep it short! For your sake and
your students’. 10 minutes is the
absolute maximum.
March 6, 2012 | slide 8

9. Rehearsal
 Run through the
presentation once or twice
speaking out loud – this will
ensure you are familiar with
the material, then do it while
running through the activity.
March 6, 2012 | slide 9

10. Recording
Get it right in
the recording
Commercial software –
better editing facilities. Can
and minimise
record actions and voice
editing.
separately
Web applications – Possible to record in
little chance to edit – short sections and edit
have to record both the sections together in the
actions and voice at software
same time.
March 6, 2012 | slide 10

11. Top Tips
 Have you any top tips to make screencasting more
effective?
March 6, 2012 | slide 11

12. What are the possibilities?
 Explain/Interpret... just about anything.
 math processes & problem-solving
 science concepts, events, digital microscope capture, browser-based activity,...
 Weather Forecasts (using weather map images and other online data)
 Map Skills (directions, scale, coordinates, ... Try it with GoogleMaps or Google Earth)
 Response to literature (book reviews, plot, theme, characterization, authors...)
 Reflecting on writing pieces or learning portfolio
 Vocabulary
 Daily Oral Language editing
 Writing conventions
 Reading stories, ebooks, ...
 Historical events
 How to use software, tools, websites...
 Capture/narrate student online creations (cartoons, stories,...)
 Reflect on field trips (verging on digital storytelling)
 Capture & narrate a web-based projects and tools like Google Sketchup, Google Earth,...
March 6, 2012 | slide 12

13. Screencasting apps for the iPad
Annotate pdf documents with audio
and text. Great for giving feedback.
You can sketch over images and
record your voice.
Record and annotate a variety of
documents. Export to youtube.

17. Distribution
March 6, 2012 | slide 17

18. More info
 JISC Digital Media
– Screencasting Workflow
– Building effective screencasts.
– Course: June 12
– http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/training/courses/building-effective-scre
– Free online tools – review
– Introducting Screen capture software
 Web links – lots of ideas and info – see links sheet.
– Screencasting wiki
http://screencastingedu.wikispaces.com/Screencasting+Tools
March 6, 2012 | slide 18

19. Next In Brief
 Tuesday April 3rd – QR Codes
 Phil Hardcastle
– phil.hardcastle@rsc-em.ac.uk
 Lyn Lall
– lynette.lall@rsc-em.ac.uk
 Steve Saffhill
– steve.saffhill@rsc-em.ac.uk
March 6, 2012 | slide 19