Screencasting

toc A **screencast** is a motion screen capture of part or all of a screen. Several different types of software enable a user to make a screencast. Sharing a screencast with other users is often referred to "screencasting," which allows users to to view the author's screencast. Screencasts are often used as software tutorial aids, since they allow a viewer to see all the technical steps an instructor is performing to accomplish an action. There are several different online tools and software packages that enable screencasting. Wikipedia provides an in-depth [|software comparison] between several different screencasting tools.

=About= =How to Use= Screencasting is great for making tutorials, since users are able to simultaneously see the actions being performed on the screen and listen to the author's narration. In addition, the viewer is able to self-pace the tutorial since they can pause the video at any point. Being self-paced, and being accessible at any time or location, are advantages of using screencasts over in-person tutorials. For teachers, they are great to use for explaining an assignment or showing students how to preform complicated tasks. Software packages like Camtasia allow users to embed other interactive features that can increase engagement for students. They also save tea chers the frustration of having to explain an assignment or task multiple times. A limitation of screencasts is the lack of feedback they offer students. In a face-to-face classroom setting, a student can ask for an alternative explanation if they do not understand an action or idea. Unless a teacher includes supplementary links or offers multiple explanations, a student is forced to look elsewhere for understanding.

Here is a screencast that demonstrates how to use screenr.com and Camtasia.

=Implementation Ideas=

Social Studies
=Opinions & Feedback= **General** **English** **Mathematics** **Science** **Social Studies**
 * screenr.com is a free screencasting tool that allows users without a software download to record 5 minutes of screen recording. It's a great tool since it's user friendly and automatically uploads the screencast to Twitter or YouTube which makes it easy to share. Sometimes can be problematic since it requires the newest version of Java.
 * Camtasia is best in class since it provides robust screencasting tool that allows for zooming, highlighting, editing, embedding dynamic material, and online publishing. There is a free 30 trial of the software, but a full version cost several hundred dollars although they do have reduced price version for educators/students.
 * Screencast-O-Matic is another free screencashing tool that requires a Java plug-in to work and allows up to 15 minutes of screen recording time with a free account.
 * [|Jing] is a downloadable free program that offers basic editing and easy ways to share your video using screencast.com.