Chances are before you completed this lesson you had only seen screencasts. Now that you have created one and seen some examples of a few what do you think? Do you think you might make screencasts in the future or have students create them as a way to demonstrate their learning? When do you think screencasts would be useful?If you were able to create a screencast please share a link to it in your reply to this post.
I did not create a screencast, however, I can see using them as tutorials for different digital tools. At this point since I can access good tutorials through youtube and other online sources, I probably wouldn't create a screencast due to time constraints.
ReplyDeleteI have actually used Quicktime to create screencasts in the past. I found it to be very easy to use, but after using Screenr, I may be switching my format! Screenr eliminates uploading time, etc. It is a very user friendly digital tool that I will definitely share with my teachers. I have been hesitant in the past to share the Quicktime route just because it did take some computer knowledge, but Screenr didn't require any knowledge other than following their onscreen directions.
ReplyDeleteI can certainly see many uses in the library for this tool. There are so many new tools that we use in the library and it is nearly impossible for me to get to all students for training. Having links to screencasts available to students 24/7 is an amazing way to reach out to our students on their time.
I know our computer techy people have been creating screencasts for a couple of years to show our staff how to do certain things that we are required to do-beginning of the year forms, how to link school email with your smartphones, etc. I will definitely be sharing Screenr with them!
I think that there are definitely times when screencasting would be helpful for students. We are sharing more and more distance learning classes and this would be an excellent tool in that venue when a student may be having problems that they just can't explain via email or chat.
http://screenr.com/uwk8
Screencasts have so many applications. I use them in my online classes all of the time! It is a "can't live without" tool for me. Right after I created this unit I discovered Screencastomatic. Screenr is great, but you only get 5 minutes of recording time. With Screencastomatic you get 15!
DeleteJust an idea...you can link screencasts to a QR code then post the QR codes in places where they are accessible to the people who need them.
Ok. That was so easy and fun. I made a screencast, using screencast-o-matic to introduce my kindergartners to Starfall.com. It was simple and something I will definitely use and make more of them, too! I can see myself adding comments and questions to online videos and activities. It is also wonderful and will save me giving a mini-lesson over and over. I just have to say it once and that is amazing. :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB2ipHgE-No
ReplyDeleteSarah---
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed this! As a digital tool, I don't think screencasts get the love they deserve. Imagine having a class website or blog with links to different screencasts you have made specifically for parents who want to know what they can do to help their kids at home. The possibilities for how you can use them are endless. I have used them in the past in exactly the way you described. On days when I am going to miss I can record over a video and pause at points where I need to provide a further explanation. I have also used screencasts to take students on a tour of different websites. They are definitely fun and easy to create and share.
I have actually used CamStudio in the past to create screencasts for both my students, and also to make tutorials for people in my CERT program to help them understand how to use some of the software we use in the field.
ReplyDeleteI do like the idea of Screenr being free, and not having to load any programs on your computer like you have to with CamStudio. If you are on a computer that won't allow you to install software, so in a public lab, you can still have students create their screencasts, and share their information.
I have used some of the screencasting software in the past, such as Jing, QuickTime, and Ishow (Demo version). They are great tools; I use them mostly for my Graphics and Web design classes to show the students how to run the software. I think each screencaster has their advantages and disadvantages, for example the allotted time to create a screencast, 5minutes to 15 minutes, the type of file that the screencast can be exported for playback and some of the tools needed to present your material. I use them mostly when I’m not going to be in class, the students are able to click on the video and watch the lesson. I think the different types of screencasting software would be excellent tools for Geography, like plotting a latitude and longitude coordinate on a grid system or showing different types of Civil War battles on map. I just experimented with screen-matic, excellent free tool.
ReplyDeletehttp://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/clibYhdri
I did not make a screencast since I don't have a microphone on my computer at home. I plan on making a screencast for our open house at the beginning of the year to show the parents how to access grades online. There are a ton of ideas people have for using this tool from basic to very advanced ideas. I also thought how great this would have been when we were introduced to c4learning. We were kind of tossed in and we each had to figure it out ourselves. What time (and some teachers sanity) it would have saved if we could have watched a screencast on how to run the system to set up the assessments! I was going to get a laptop this summer but decided to wait on the advise of upgrades coming out to wait for. I'm glad I did because I am getting a better idea of what I want out of one.
ReplyDeleteThis would be a great tool for students that are visual learners. They could access the lesson and watch as many times as they need.
ReplyDeleteI plan on practicing with screen cast when I have a computer with a microphne. It will be a great tool to use in my classroom where I have different grade levels.
I am looking forward to playing with screencasting. I am in charge of Infinite Campus at school. There are many tutorials I can see myself making to remind teachers of tasks that we only have to do once or four times a year. I can also use it to train new teachers coming into the district.
ReplyDeleteI could also use this to introduce new software to students and then let them demonstrate their knowledge of a project by making a video of them completing the assignment.