Screencasting allows instructors to record their computer screen activity along with audio narration. This tool can be used to demonstrate skills or tutorials for students. The document reviews the screencasting software Screencast-O-Matic, which allows users to record and share screencasts for free. Screencast-O-Matic saves files in common formats and automatically uploads to YouTube. While it is limited by ads and lack of support, the software provides a basic option for creating instructional screencasts to supplement online teaching. Examples of uses include tutorials, individual paper feedback, and narrated PowerPoints.

1. Using Screencasting to Teach
Writing at a Distance
A TOOL REVIEW FOR
SCREENCAST-O-MATIC
By Danielle Roach
Old Dominion University
June 21, 2010
[SHORTENED FOR USE AS A
WORKSHOP SAMPLE]

2. Introduction
 What is screencasting?
 A screencast records the activity on a computer screen along
with accompanying audio either from the computer itself or
from a microphone.
 Thus, screencast software allows you to record yourself
performing an activity on your computer and narrating that
activity, and then allows you to save the clip of that activity on
your computer and/or online.

3. Why screencast?
 Benefits for students:
 Multimedia appeals to visual learners and to students used to
getting info in other-than-print format
 Tool allows for visual demonstration of physical activities and
operation of other tools (“scaffolding” as described by Grady
and Davis, 2005)
 Best for skills-based problems, "how-to" demonstrations
 Voiceover allows students to connect with instructor in
auditory capacity (something that may be limited in other
areas of the course)

4. Limitations of screencasting
 Drawbacks:
 No two-way communication
 If used haphazardly, can reinforce "sage-on-stage”
 No active interface for user (e.g., if there is a link on your
screen, the user cannot click it to find out more information)
 File types vary by software, and accessibility issues can present
themselves depending on how file is saved and hosted

5. Screencast-O-Matic (SOM)
 Features:
 Available completely online (no download necessary-uses
Java platform)
 Saves as Quicktime (.mp4), Windows Media Player (.avi),
or Flash (.flv)
 Offers automatic upload to YouTube and to your free
account on SOM's site as well as option to download clips
to your computer
 Allows recordings up to 15 minutes on SOM

6. Screencast-O-Matic (SOM)
 Drawbacks:
 Framed by GoogleAds
 Does not offer any direct EDU support
 Based on Java (which bugs some machines)

7. Examples of uses
 Research tutorial
 Word formatting tutorial
 Individual paper review (to account for inability to
conference synchronously)
 PowerPoint with narration (just remember that any
links will not be interactive for the user)

8. References
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processes. Urbana, Ill.: National Council of Teachers of English.
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