When providing instruction to students, often it is helpful to provide a simple recorded demonstration of a specific task or activity in addition to textual documentation. Such educational tutorials, also often referred to as "screencasts," can be created using a software capture program that records cursor movement, typing, or other on-screen activity as well as narration. This hands-on workshop will introduce the free Jing screencasting tool and explore several practical applications for implementing simple educational tutorials in the classroom.

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What are educational tutorials?

When you think of educational tutorials, what comes to mind?

• screencasts
  
• self-assessment
• repeatable
• self-paced
• interesting
• boring
• visual
• interactive
• audio
• on-demand
• accessible 24/7

Why educational tutorials?

Why might an educator want to use educational tutorials?

• on-demand
• consistency
• reusability
• instructor-led vs. self-paces
• supplemental
• time-saving for faculty (answer question once)
• review/revise/change before posting

Examples

• course tour
• syllabus tour
• student assignments
• assignment feedback
• ...lots more!

View samples at http://delicious.com/tag/fsi09tutorials

Getting Started

• Download FREE software at  jingproject.com
• Install Jing software on your computer
• Launch the Jing software and follow the on-screen instructions to register for a free account at screencast.com
• Plugin your headset mic and begin recording

Recommendations

• Record window size at 800x600 or smaller
  
• Keep recordings under 5 minutes
• Embed rather than upload to your learning management system
• Introduce students to the practice of creating their own screencasts
  

Last Updated: 5/19/2009

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