Week 4- 7 things you should know about… Screencasting

A screencast is basically a recording of the actions on a user’s computer screen that can be accompanied by audio or callouts and then streamed over a network. “In the same way that a screenshot is a static representation of a computer over a period of time” (www.educause.edu/eli). Some examples of software include Adobe Captivate, Camtasia, Screencast-O-Matic .com and Capornicus. If you have not had the chance to download a free trial or use a website that offers free screencasting tools, you should! Screencasting is a great way to show users a quick “How to” or perhaps create an entire online lesson. As an educator of utilizing an electronic medical record, screencasting has proved time and time again to be an extremely powerful tool to help end users navigate through the applications.

The article “7 things you should know about…Screencasting” points out that screen casts are significant because they “provide students with lessons they can watch at their convenience, as often as they choose, to review class material or to help understand concepts they find difficult” (www.educause.edu/eli). Through this they are able to navigate at their own speed, rewind when needed and or catch up on material they may have missed. Screencasting works great for all kinds of learners whether you are visual or auditory and can even work be helpful for students with disabilities. The content is always consistent so you can ensure all students are learning the same information. As the article point out, “the technology offers a simple means of providing a fixed presentation, one that shows the same material in a consistent, reputable form”  (www.educause.edu/eli). Since screencastings are not interactive, it will be important that teachers thoroughly think through the assessment process. The competency or assessment expected of students must be meaningful and reflective of the material presented.

7 Things You Should Know About Blogs | EDUCAUSE.edu. (2014, January 1). Retrieved on May 28, 2014 from http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-screencasting