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THEN, VS Now Print screens to screencasting

Smekens Big Ideas Article, September
Not so long ago, when learning a new computer program or how to navigate a website, we followed a handout that consisted of written directions and miniature screen-shot images.

But nowadays, screencasting has become the new thing. This tool allows the "teacher" to record his computer screen while narrating what is being displayed. This is a much easier text type to utilize as the "learner."

Hmmm...let's imagine how screencasting could be applied in the daily classroom.

  • Complex concepts. In order to better understand complex conce pts, students can watch screencasts repeatedly. For example, you might reference the beginning of a math chapter, read and think through the math concepts, and walk through the sample problems. All the while, you can add in additional information, clarify ideas, and point out tips and cautions.
  • At-home support. Screencasts can be posted for students (and parents) to access and review limitlessly. And absent students can catch up on the day's lesson with little teacher intervention.
  • Sup-ed up sub plans. Create a screencast that explains the day's task that the substitute can play for your students. This allows you to give specific and direct instructions to your students, despite your absence.
  • Peer tutoring. Students could be taught to create their own screencasts on content to be viewed by classmates as a means of review or reinforcement.
  • Parent resources. Provide screencast tutorials for parents that walk them through how to login to access their child's grades or assessment scores, how to understand the different facets of a class textbook, etc.

If you are interested in the idea of screencasting, here are a few apps and websites that support such video recording.


  • Known for its user-friendly format, Educreations is a free, recordable, interactive whiteboard app that captures voice and handwriting to produce highly-effective video tutorials. Once published, lessons can be viewed through a mobile device or desktop computer. For more information about Educreations, watch their app launch here.
  • ScreenChomp is another free app and performs similarly to Educreations.
  • A more advanced option for the veteran-screencaster would be Explain Everything. Purchase it for $2.99 as an individual, or receive an education discount for 20+ copies @ $1.49 each. Equipped with all of the features mentioned above, what sets this application apart from the others is its capability to animate drawings or images, and attach presentations within a lesson. Watch this video to learn more about Explain Everything.
  • Screencast-o-matic works on both Windows and Mac operating systems and includes a free version. It allows you to highlight text, insert click indicators, easily add captions, and more. Users especially appreciate the fact that there is no application to download. Click for directions on how to create your first screencast.
  • Another free site to consider is Jing. Allowing one to share ideas instantly, Jing enhances fast-paced online conversations by creating images and videos of exactly what you see on your computer screen.

educreations 
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