This document provides information on screencasts including what they are, potential uses, examples, and the screencast creation process. A screencast is a digital recording of on-screen computer activity often with audio narration. They can be used to introduce modules, review concepts, and demonstrate software. Examples provided include Khan Academy and websites demonstrating high-quality screencasts. Creating effective screencasts involves planning, capturing, editing, and publishing the video. Free software like Snip and Screencast-o-matic can be used to create and share screencasts.

1. Damien Raftery
eLearning Development Officer

4. Image by NTU
Image by EC

5. http://ctl.utexas.edu/teaching/flipping-a-class

6. Developing educational screencasts
What is a screencast?
– Potential uses
– Examples and exemplars
– Word of caution and example use
Screen capture process
Screen capture software
– Recording options
– Publishing
References

7. What is a screencast?
A screencast is a digital recording of
computer screen activity, often containing
audio narration
– Budgett et al (2007)
… a “look over my shoulder” effect similar to
one-on-one instruction
… access whenever and wherever it is
convenient
– Educause Learning Initiative (2006)

8. … appeals to different learning styles
… more approachable than glitzy packaged
instructional videos
– Kanter B (2008)
Podcasting is Dead. Long Live Video!
– Cann A J (2007)
Builds on existing teaching expertise
What is a screencast?

9. Potential uses
• introducing a module
• providing guidelines or giving an overview
• reviewing a difficult concept
• previewing a forthcoming lecture, reviewing or
summarising a previous lecture
• supporting an activity or project
• revising for a test
• answering frequently asked questions

10. Software example
https://media.heanet.ie/page/ccc73ba142f743c82eee5f9c681f2e3f

11. Potential uses
• demonstrating a software or website feature
(particularly useful for software that students
have limited access to)
• illustrating the steps to solve a problem
• explaining a technical diagram or picture
• correcting or giving feedback
– Raftery D (2010)
• handwriting a solution using a tablet with
voice-overs (mathcasts)
– Bonnington et al (2007), Budgett et al (2007), Fahlberg et al (2007)

12. Mathcast example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6YHZqEtjBM

13. Screencasts
Example screencast:
Roddy McNamee, Eng
Basic Principle of a
DC Motor

15. Exemplars http://www.khanacademy.org/
– 1000+ videos on YouTube covering everything from basic arithmetic and algebra to
differential equations, physics, chemistry, biology and finance
http://www.teachertrainingvideos.com/
– Russell Stannard's website is a collection of screencasts to help teachers incorporate
technology into their teaching. It demonstrates the usefulness of screencasts, and has
a series of screencasts on using Screenr.com and on Camtasia
http://demogirl.com/
– a blog with short screencasts explaining new internet applications and services, useful
to see some good screencasts and Molly McDonald explains how she makes a
screencast (http://demogirl.com/2008/01/14/want-to-see-how-i-make-a-screencast/)
http://www.lynda.com/
– website of provider of educational materials on using technology. Courses of a series of
screencasts and provides an opportunity to review some high quality screencasts
http://www.youtube.com/user/eoloughlin
– Learn with Dr Eugene O'Loughlin – Eugene’s YouTube feed of how-to and problem
solving videos – Eugene is a lecturer in NCI and has over 2 million views on YouTube
How to Create Screencasts You Can Be Proud Of
– full of useful tips on creating screencasts

16. Word of caution
Watching a screencast can be passive
Need to be SHORT, also
– student-focused rather than teacher-focused
– pedagogically-led rather than technology-led

17. What will students do?
Where your students will use the screencast?
computer lab v. online (Articulate example)

18. Kay, R. H. (2012). Exploring the use of video podcasts in education: A comprehensive review
of the literature. Computers in Human Behavior, 28, 820-831.
Kay, R. and Kletskin, I. (2012). Evaluating the use of problem-based video podcasts to teach
mathematics in higher education. Computers & Education, 59, 619-627.
[Example Problem-based video podcast link]
Problem-based video podcast link

19. Example: rethinking a computer lab
Videos replace demonstrations of lecturer
– accommodates students with different speeds
of comprehension
– lecturer spends more time with weaker
students without having to restrict the
progression of the stronger students
O’Loughlin (2009)
Videos replace lab classes?
– videos with exercise files available online
– students submit homework for grading
Nicholson & Nicholson (2010)

20. Screen capture process
- Raftery D (2010)
Prepare
• Plan carefully
• Create a
storyboard
(optional)
• Keep short (split if
necessary)
• Decide when to
record audio
• Create a script
(optional)
• Incorporate cues
to encourage
active learning
Capture
• Use computer,
screen capture
software and
microphone
• Record important
part of the screen
at low resolution
• Chunk and
minimise
cognitive overload
• Record and
review a rough
run-through
Produce
• Edit video
• Edit narration
(or record audio
at this point)
• Add captions,
highlights and
other elements
• Add pauses with
instructions
• Add interactivity
and quizzes
Publish
• Create final files
in desired format
and quality
(e.g. MP4)
• Upload to VLE,
blog or webpage
See also Mount N & Chambers C (2008) and Oud J (2009)

21. Snip
Capture your screen as an image, add annotation & voiceover, share via email,
Blackboard and more. Watch my first attempt here!
More information and to download, a review

22. MS PowerPoint MIX
Example: slides and screen recording, on HEAnet
Example: can include quiz questions within your
video if you upload to Mix, here two questions at end
See handout, download from https://mix.office.com/

23. Screencast-o-matic
http://screencast-o-matic.com

24. Screen capture software
Snip PowerPoint Mix Screencast-o-matic
Free
(take screenshot; record
annotation & audio)
Free
(record screen; saves within
slide, can save as video)
Free
(PRO commercial upgrade)
No limit No limit 15 mins maximum
No editing No editing No editing
(PRO includes powerful editing)
MP4 MP4 MP4
Unbranded MP4 Unbranded MP4 Branded
(PRO not)
Install PC Install PC Record from browser
(install once)
Learn in 5 minutes! Learn in 10 minutes! Learn in 10 minutes!
Also Articulate Replay (part of Articulate Studio),
Chrome’s Screencastify, Techsmith’s Jing, SnagIt & Camtasia and many more

25. Aside: Recording on a tablet
Overview from Dr Frances Boylan DIT
Example I recorded using iPad with stylus
(be careful with audio quality)
http://explaineverything.com/

26. Publishing: sharing your screencast
Host online, link to/embed in Blackboard
HEAnet Media Hosting (screencast overview)
"Users can upload their original videos using an easy-to-use upload
form. The videos are transcoded into formats suitable for streaming
and podcasting. Once transcoded the videos can then be
embedded in a user's website, or viewed using unique URL."
Log in to http://media.heanet.ie/ with your IT Carlow credentials
YouTube: Public or unlisted
Unlisted: only people who know the link to the video can view it. An
unlisted video will not appear in any of YouTube's public spaces
(such as search results, your channel, or the Browse page).
Hosted by Screencast-o-matic/Jing/…
Also Vimeo. Google Drive? OneDrive? ??

27. Create a screencast
Task #1
– go to screencast-o-matic & create account
– record a short test screencast
– download MP4 file
– upload MP4 to HEA Media Hosting or YouTube
– embed your screencast in Blackboard
Task #2
– Open PowerPoint. Go to MIX tab. Select Screen
Recording to record test screencast. Save as MP4.

28. Tip
Good audio

29. Tip
Use a image
at beginning

30. Organising screencasts using Articulate

31. Example resource: Susan Brennan,
Accounting
Bank Reconciliation Statements
Practitioner
experience
Organising screencasts using Articulate

32. Track students use of video
EdPuzzle (free): add questions to a YouTube video, crop the length, add audio
comments, track individual student’s progress, give feedback – example (without login)

33. References Bonnington C P, Oates G, Parnell S, Paterson J and Stratton W (2007) ‘A report on the use of
tablet technology and screen recording software in tertiary mathematics courses’ 6th
Southern Hemisphere Conference on Mathematics and Statistics Teaching and Learning
http://www.bonnington.org/publications/TabletLectureRecording.pdf
Budgett S, Cumming J and Miller C (2007) ‘The role of Screencasting in statistics courses’
Paper presented at the International Statistical Institute conference (Lisbon)
Cann A J (2007) Podcasting is Dead. Long Live Video!
www.bioscience.heacademy.ac.uk/journal/vol10/beej-10-C1.pdf
Costello E (2008) “Developing Educational Resources Using Camtasia Studio” NDLR
workshop presentation http://www.ndlr.ie/mshe/
Educause Learning Initiative (2006) “Screencasting and education”
http://www.ourmedia.org/node/255213
Fahlberg T, Fahlberg-Stojanovska L and MacNeil G (2007) “Whiteboard math movies”
Teaching Mathematics and Its Applications 26(1)
Kanter B (2008) “Screencasting Primer” http://screencastingprimer.wikispaces.com/primer
Mount, N. & Chambers, C. (2008). Podcasting and practicals. In G. Salmon & P. Edirisingha
(Eds.), Podcasting for Learning in Universities. (pp. 43-56). Berkshire: Open University
Press.
Oud, J. (2009). Guidelines for effective online instruction using multimedia screencasts.
Reference Services Review, 37(2), 164-177.
Nicholson, J. and Nicholson, D. B. (2010). ’A stream runs through IT: using streaming video to
teach information technology’. Campus-Wide Information Systems 27(1). pp.17-24.
O’Loughlin, B. (2009) ‘An investigation into the use of short screen recordings as a means of
instruction in a practical computer module’ EdTech 2009 National College of Ireland, 21-
22nd May [NDLR screencast resources]
Raftery, D. (2010) ‘Developing educational screencasts – a practitioner’s perspective’ in
Donnelly, R., Harvey, J., and O’Rourke, K., eds., Critical Design and Effective Tools for E-
Learning in Higher Education: Theory into Practice, Hershey, PA: Information Science
Reference.
Seery, M. (2010) ‘Podcasting and screencasting for supporting lectures’ Blog post and handout
The Rapid E-Learning Blog, http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/

34. Damien Raftery
eLearning Development Officer