What is Screencasting?
A screencast is a digital video recording of your computer screen and usually includes audio narration. Screencasts are just one of many different types of instructional videos that can save you time answering the same questions over and over and is a great way to teach or share ideas both in and out of a classroom or training session.
Potential uses of screencasting include:
- narrating a presentation
- creating on-demand onboarding
- answering/responding to common questions
- demonstrating software
- walkthrough of a process
- describing an assignment
- making basic tutorials
- providing feedback
- building content for flipping the classroom/training
- content for learners that missed an in-person demo/lesson
Planning and Recording Tips
Take a look at these 24 tips for creating high-quality screencasts, from Screencastify, and view the planning and recordings videos below:
Planning Tips
Recording Tips
TOOLS FOR SCREENCASTING
A lot of screen recorders are on the marketing, here are a select few to consider, including Mediasite (OSU official platform), Screencast-o-Matic (free up to 15 minutes), and PowerPoint (great for narrated presentations). Let’s learn more…
MEDIASITE TUTORIAL
Mediasite is OSU’s officially supported screen recording software and cloud video hosting platform, free for anyone with a OSU name.#! Access the platform at mediasite.osu.edu to get started.
The Mediasite Desktop Recorder can be installed on any computer, and can already be found on every podium computer in EHE classrooms. To learn more, check out these resources:
- Getting Started with Mediasite (TLRC article)
- Mediasite Resource Center (TLRC page with tutorials and FAQ)
SCREENCAST-O-MATIC.COM TUTORIAL
Screencast-O-Matic.com is nice for those just starting out, don’t care about a watermark, or that won’t need to worry much about editing. Free version, but not officially supported by OSU.
POWERPOINT SCREEN RECORD TUTORIAL
A little-known feature of later versions of PowerPoint is the ability to record your slideshow with narration and even do a screen recording outside of PowerPoint! Combine that with the ability for PowerPoint to export as a video file and you can produce standalone narrated lessons and demonstration videos directly from a well-known tool.
*Note: this is only available in SOME versions of PowerPoint – not everyone will have the screen cast ability, so look before planning anything!
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about screencasting, it’s potential uses, more products, examples, and a whole lot more, see Kathy Schrock’s guide on Screencasting (for teachers), and Techsmith’s How to Make Tutorial Videos video.
