What is a screencast?

A screencast is a digital recording of computer screen output, also known as a video screen capture, often containing audio narration. Just as a screenshot is a picture of a user's screen, a screencast is essentially a movie of the changes over time that a user sees on his monitor.

Why use a screencast?

1. Demonstrate and teach software features
2. Demonstrate technology steps or processes

Possible Educational Applications of Screencasts

1. Provide "online tour" of Blackboard course
2. Give personalized audio feedback on a project or technical document
3. Show students how to perform a technical task
4. Many, many more!

Examples of Screencasts

• How-To Add Tags to a Blog Post
• How-To Zip A Folder
• Inverse trigonometric functions
• NIU Blackboard Tutorials
  
• Quick Tour of Google Reader
  

Free Screencasting Tools

• Jing
• ScreenToaster
• Screencast-o-Matic

How To Get Started with Screencasts

1. Purchase or secure a headset microphone
2. Select your screencasting tool of choice (Jing recommended)
3. Download/install the screencasting software
4. Setup free account when prompted at jing.com
5. Outline your demonstration
6. Record your screencast (with Jing, limited to 5 mins.)
7. Either save to your computer or publish to screencast.com
8. Upload or embed in Blackboard