Ever since the Pandemic started two years ago, teachers and educators have been on the hunt for easier ways to record and share instructions with students. Students can be school age, but they can also be adults. I took a look at three different screen casting tools that can aide in this process.
The first one I looked at is Screencastomatic. It was easy to sign up for a free account, and the home screen immediately pops up with options to take a screenshot, make a recording, or to edit any existing videos. Each option comes with a tutorial that visually shows you each step. As you scroll down to the bottom, there are more tutorial videos to help the first time user and you can find inspiration for your creations on their blog. The free edition also offers more editing tools than the other screen casting sites I checked out. One thing that I found you have to be careful of is what is shown on your screen when recording a video. There is a large box that records, and not the entire screen.
I took a look at Jing, which is recommended by quite a few people. I had a little trouble with downloading the product. If you don't go to their actual site, it can take you through a messy download. Once downloaded, I wasn't able to find as many tutorials as on Screencastomatic. It also lacks as many editing features.
The third screen casting tool I wanted to include is Screencastify because it's one I have used most recently. It is fairly easy to use for the first time user. When you begin creating a video, little pop up directions come up to show the user each step. I like this because it shows me where to go next after I complete a task. Screencastify is very useful for educators that utilize Google Classroom because there are direct links to Google Classroom to be able to upload your creations. There are also topics to be able to search the online data base.
Overall, I really enjoyed working with Screencastomatic. The ease of use for a first time user who isn't as technologically prone is enticing. The amount of tutorials offered is incredible. I also found editing to be easier to maneuver and work with my creations.
I used Screencastomatic to create a short tutorial on how to search my library database. Within the library, librarians could use this to show how to put a book on hold, or request a book, which is a task that has come up when students were learning virtually. Teachers can use screencasts to show how to complete almost any task that they want the students to repeat. Read-alouds that teachers want students to have access to over and over can be recorded via a screen cast. Educators can use screencasts to record short professional development information so their colleagues can have later access to the information.
As a result of the pandemic, we've added screencasts to our teaching toolbox. You can advise students on a specific task or online activity while screencasting. These screencasts are beneficial if the teacher is absent and wishes to provide extra support to students while they are away by recording a screencast video that describes the lesson/assignment expectations. It was a pleasure reading your blog! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI used Screencastify as well because that is what I used during the pandemic. I also switched to Screencast o matic because I felt that it was easier to work with as well. Screencasts are so helpful when teaching students at home. I used them often and still do.
ReplyDeleteScreencasts are a wonderful product for online and in class instruction. I agree with you that you have to be careful with recording the screen because you may end up revealing personal or distracting information. Nice review.
ReplyDeleteI have used Screencastify before and I like it better than other apps. I guess I am used to it because that is what we were told to implement as part of our virtual school last year. I do see the value of creating videos for various learning opportunities for students.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were teaching through Zoom and Google Classroom two years ago, I would have loved to have the knowledge about screencast I have now. Educators were not prepared for the quick change we had to go through. We should have more training on technology. We are learning things in this class that all teachers should have available to them.
ReplyDeleteScreencast have become so helpful! Not only for students but showing staff how to do things as well. I recently made one for my staff tp show them how to upload pictures for the yearbook.
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