Screencasts

During this time of mass distance learning, screencasts are more important than ever. A screencast allows the user to video their computer desktop, browser window and/or web camera to film how-to videos, lessons, demonstrations, etc. There are several options available for your filming needs, most of them filming up to 15 minutes of time for free. Some platforms may put a limit on how many videos you can record on their free version, so make sure you have practiced your video ahead of time.

Snag It

When I watched the video for Snag It, I was immediately sold. Sign me up, please and thank you. But then I realized I might not be able to download it onto my Chromebook which is my working laptop.

Snag It allows users to take screenshots of web pages or a whole screenshot. It allows the user to edit screenshots, create step by step instructions, or add videos to provide feedback or extra instruction. It seems like an easy program to use for education in order to create an image with step by step instructions for the beginning of the school year - signing up for Remind, finding things on Canvas or Blackboard, using FlipGrid, etc. You can tag your videos as a way to keep them organized for later usage.

On the other hand, I can see more technology proficient users not seeing a need for this service. They can take their own screenshots and add information to them as needed. And this service does add a risk of providing false information. The ease of which the video demonstrates adjusting a web page is a little worrisome. Thought it could be useful when teaching lessons on double checking primary sources.

The website provides a free trial for users, and then it costs $49.95 a year, and you can download it on up to two devices. I imagine this being a useful purchase.

Screencast-O-Matic

This is my first time hearing of Screencast-O-Matic. Just yesterday, one of the instructional coaches shared a video made with Screencast-O-Matic demonstrating how to check if a student has been on Canvas.

The free version of Screencast-O-Matic allows for unlimited videos at 15 minutes maximum. Once you’ve finished your video, you can upload it to your Google Drive, YouTube, and Screencast-O-Matic in order to keep track of the videos you have created. I liked having the option on where I wanted my videos sent to.

You can organize your videos into folders. There is a search function just in case you have a lot of videos and haven’t organized them yet. When you want to share the video, it provides a lot of different options. You can send a direct link, create your own link, or it gives the embed code.

Editing and such costs extra, but the pricing isn’t too bad for this service. For $1.65 a month you get unlimited recording times, it will intuitively try to access your video editor on a Mac or PC, provide drawing tools and mouse focus.
 I created one of these back in November showing students how to access Sora using Screencastify. That one was around 7 minutes long. Here is a newer, updated version that runs around 8 minutes long. 

Screencastify

This is the program I have used the most to share with students. The free version allows you to record up to five minutes, though I could have sworn it was fifteen, and in the past it has told me how many videos I had left to make. It allowed for 30 videos in a month, and it has a mouse focus to emphasize areas on your browser. Another downer is that it was hard for me to see my folder of videos on Screencastify. The free version is available for $29 for educators.

This program, along with Screencast-O-Matic and others, has a Chrome Extension. When you are ready to film, just click the extension and it will ask if you want your desktop or browser filmed, your microphone filmed, and/or your webcam. It gives a countdown and begins filming, You can easily pause if you need a moment. When you’re done, you are able to watch it to see if it meets your standards. You can’t really do any editing in the free version of this program. Screencastify automatically makes a file folder on your Google Drive to easily find videos, and it can upload to your YouTube or your Google Classroom. It can generate a QR code and provide the embed information.

 

I created this video today to help show students how to turn in an assignment through Google Forms. Nice, quick and to the point. 

Hippo

One last screencast program I have used in the past is called Hippo. It’s like a mixture of Screencastify and Screencast-O-Matic. With the free version, you can make unlimited videos at 15 minutes maximum. There is a section that provides information for embedding the video. Hippo also creates a folder in your Google Drive to house all of your videos for easy access. A couple of cons with this service is that it does not offer to upload to YouTube, instead offering up Facebook and Twitter. The paid version for personal use only allows you to record up to an hour versus unlimited like other services.

Conclusion

I think I’ll be using Screencast-O-Matic a little more for videos for my classroom. Screencastify is great if you need something short to share with others. And some of these services might be worth paying the annual fee for if you find yourself recording a lot of your lessons.