Hunter River High School
A screencast is a video recording of what’s happening on your computer monitor, often with annotations and/or narration. It can be simple or sophisticated ranging from a image with narration to a complex video that unpacks content. HSC hub and similar instructional videos are examples of Screen Casting.
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Screencasts are a great way for both students and teachers to share the required steps in completing a problem or unpacking a skill. They are also useful for staff to share amongst themselves to enable consistency amongst classes.
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Both Microsoft and Apple computers offer in build Screencasting software that is easy to use and free. All you really need is a quite place to record. The two videos below unpack how these programs work so you can get started.
There are however many more products on the market to help you create dynamic presentations for your classes.
Once you've selected your preferred tool for screencasting, here are some tips to make it easier and more effective:
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Keep screencasts short—a couple of minutes.
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Prepare with notes, storyboards, or a mock-up.
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Speak conversationally but avoid slang, umms, and giggles.
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Don’t worry about mistakes -- you can re-record.
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Don't be afraid to pause the video during recording to organise your materials or collect your thoughts, then start again.
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Use a simple background that doesn’t distract.
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If your screencasting tool allows editing, review your video and edit as needed.
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If possible, add titles, subtitles, and even links to the video to clarify necessary parts.
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Share the screencast where students will find it -- YouTube, class blog, class website, or another location.