The Cognition of the Read/Write Web

What is Screencasting?

• A movie of what you see on your computer monitor.
• demo screencast

Why use screencasting?

• There is never enough time in the classroom!
• Self-paced learning.
• Hand-on visual learning and not just theoretical.
• Mimics the one-on-one experience.

What do we use screencasting for:

• Filling out forms (Plans of Study (POS) for the registrar)
• Neuroanatomy
• Getting personal with a video camera
• Creating a poster for SEPA
• Animal care & use standard operating procedures and training.

Questions to ask yourself before choosing screencasting software:

• Why are you making the screencast?
• How are you going to make it available?
• What kind of functionality do you need?
• How much do you want to spend?
• There a few choices out there…

Some other things to consider…

• Good compression
• Support for Multiple output formats
• User-configurable output quality
• Ability to record & edit audio narrations
• User interface speed and efficiency
• Ability to highlight areas, add text, etc.
• Price!
• Video editing abilities
• Ability to record fast changes
• Accuracy in synchronizing mouse / audio / screen
• Stability when working with large files

Some additional functionality…

• Integration with PPT
• Call outs
• Keystrokes
• Pen tools
• Mouse actions
• Platforms that support YouTube, Google Video, iMovie, BlipTV, etc.
• These all tend to come with the more expensive systems.

Demos:

iShowUDemo

Making Posters

My Ugly Mug

Neuroanatomy

Filling out a Plan of Study form

What is Screencasting?

Overviews and reviews:

Smashing Magazine