Course Overview
Course Overview
Embedded Files
During this self-paced, online course, you will be introduced to the Google Chrome extension, Screencastify, that can be used to record instructional videos. In addition to learning how to record, edit and share videos, you will also learn about the similarities and differences between three video recording tools, Screencast-o-Matic, Screencastify and Loom, in order to decide which tool best fits your needs.
All FWISD educators are welcome to attend this beginner-level session.
Level: Beginner
FLEX ELECTIVE CREDIT: 1
CPE CREDIT: 1
Please note that there may be some practice steps included below. These are not required to receive credit for this course. Credit is granted to participants who score a minimum of 80% on the Course Assessment.
Please note that there may be some practice steps included below. These are not required to receive credit for this course. Credit is granted to participants who score a minimum of 80% on the Course Assessment.
Course Objectives
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to...
By the end of this course, you will be able to...
Install the Screencastify Chrome Extension
Access Screencastify
Record a video with Screencastify
Trim a video
Share a video by using a link, by creating an assignment on Google Classroom and by uploading to your FWISD YouTube Channel
Guiding Questions
Guiding Questions
What are the best practices for recording instructional videos?
What is a Chrome Extension?
What are the key differences between Screencast-o-Matic, Screencastify and Loom?
How do I access Screencastify?
How do I record a video?
How do I edit my video?
How do I share my video?
Read the information for an introduction to video recording and to learn more about the best practices for creating instructional videos.
To view the Best Practices in a new tab, click the button in the top right corner that looks like this:
Introduction to Video Creation
Introduction to Video Creation
There are many tools that allow teachers to create instructional videos. Many of these tools are screen recorders with a built in webcam option. This allows you to record the information in a computer application or your web browser, while also allowing students to see you, as you record your video. These tools allow teachers to record videos using digital whiteboards and/or online texts to explain concepts and ideas.
Some tools are desktop applications, some are web-based and some are browser extensions. Screencastify falls into this third category and is a Google Chrome extension. It has both a robust and versatile free version that teachers can use by logging in with their FWISD Google Account. There is also a paid option, but this course will only cover the free features.
Chrome Extensions
Chrome Extensions
Extensions are tools that work within your browser to increase or improve functionality. In Google Chrome, your extensions can be found in the top right corner of your screen next to the omnibox.
In this course, you will learn how to install the Screencastify Chrome Extension, but for further information about installing and managing Chrome Extensions, read the Google Page using the button below.
Best Practices for Creating Instructional Videos
Best Practices for Creating Instructional Videos
Review the chart to learn more about the three video recording tools that Educational Technology recommends. Use this information to determine which tool is the right fit for your needs.
Which Tool Should I Use?
Which Tool Should I Use?
Watch the GIF to learn how to install the extension. The direct link to the Screencastify extension is provided in Step 4.
Installing the Screencastify Extension
Installing the Screencastify Extension
When you install a Chrome Extension in the Chrome Web Store, it will download the file and then add the icon to your Extensions bar. Note that new extensions will probably be located in your Extension menu and can be accessed by clicking on the puzzle piece icon.
Once you have installed the extension, you will be prompted to Sign In with Google. Make sure you are logged into your FWISD Google Account that ends with @teachers.fwisd.org.
Install the Screencastify extension and login. Use the tutorial in Step 3 for guidance.
Your Turn to Try
Your Turn to Try
Click on the button below to access the Screencastify extension in the Chrome Web store. Install the extension and login using your FWISD Google Account.
Click on the buttons to access the Screencastify User Guide website. Learn how to start recording your first video and how to use the annotation features in the recorder. There are text, video and GIF instructions to follow on the Screencastify website.
How to Make Your First Recording
How to Make Your First Recording
Click the button below to learn how to create a new video recording in Screencastify.
You may have noticed that you have the option to record either your entire desktop, a single browser tab or only your webcam. To learn more about these options, read below:
Browser Tab: This feature allows you to record within a single tab. You can navigate to different websites within that tab, but you cannot record anything outside of that tab. This is a great feature if you want to avoid accidentally including your email or other sensitive information in your video. When you select this option, you can also choose to record your Tab Audio. This will allow you to record sound from a video, as well as your microphone, in one recording.
Desktop: This is a great feature that allows you to navigate between applications and tabs in your video. You can open a website in a separate tab, and it will continue recording. You can even record your computer applications, so if you have a lesson in ActivInspire, you can include it in your video. When you select this option, you can also choose to record your Computer Sound. This allows you to record sound from videos and your computer applications, as well as your microphone.
Webcam: If you do not need to share information on your screen, the webcam option will allow you to just record a video using your front facing camera. This is a great option for recording a welcome, or introduction, video.
Click the button below to learn how to use the different annotation features in the recorder. These tools help to emphasize information in your video.
The pen feature is a great way to use your screen as an interactive whiteboard. This is a great feature that is not included in some of the other video creation tools.
Click on the Screencastify Extension and record your first video. Try including each of the listed features.
Your Turn to Try
Your Turn to Try
Open your Screencastify extension and practice recording a video. Try using the following features:
Record your desktop. Open another application and include it in your recording.
Include both your webcam and the screen recording in your video.
Use the focused mouse and the highlight clicks options.
Use the pen tool.
Click on the button to access the Screencastify User Guide website. Learn how to trim and name your video. There are text and GIF instructions to follow on the Screencastify websites.
Trimming Your Video
Trimming Your Video
Once you finish recording a video, it will open in a new tab and you will have the ability to do some basic trimming. The free version of Screencastify allows you to crop the beginning and end of your video. The more advanced editing features are only included in the paid version.
To learn more about how to trim your video, click on the button below.
Naming Your Video
Naming Your Video
You can name your video just like you name your files in the G Suite applications. Click on the current video name in the top left corner and type the new name. It will automatically update the name in your Google Drive. To learn more, check out the Screencastify Guide using the button below.
Using the video you recorded in Step 6, name your video and try using the trim feature.
Your Turn to Try
Your Turn to Try
Use your practice video from Step 6. Complete the following steps:
Name your video
Trim a section from the beginning and end
Save your trim
Read the information about sharing and exporting your videos. Note that there are buttons and hyperlinks in this section that take you to the Screencastify Guide. None of these resources include sound.
Sharing Your Video
Sharing Your Video
Screencastify has one of the most robust sharing features of the video creation tools. It integrates seamlessly with G Suite for Education, automatically saving videos to Google Drive and allowing you to share to YouTube and Google Classroom with a single click.
When you signed up for Screencastify with your FWISD Google Account, your Screencastify account was connected to your Google Drive. To learn more about how videos automatically save to your drive, click the button below.
Because videos are stored in your Google Drive, one of the ways you can share them is with a "Shareable Link." There are also other ways to share your video. You will see the following options in your Share menu next to your video. Click on each option to learn more.
Share to Classroom- To learn more about Google Classroom, check out the Getting Started with Google Classroom or Google Classroom Assignments and Feedback self-paced online courses.
Publish to YouTube- To learn more about your FWISD YouTube Channel, check out the Using Youtube to Host Instructional Videos self-paced online course.
Get Embed Code- To learn more about embedding videos in a Google Site, check out the Intro to Google Sites self-paced online course.
You can also find more options for sharing your video by clicking on the More Options button under Get Embed Code on your Screencastify video page.
In the expanded menu, you will also find these options.
Send in Email- Note: Gmail is NOT included in the FWISD G Suite for Education, so while this option will appear, you will not able to use it.
Generate QR Code- This option is a great way to share your videos through a class newsletter or as an additional support as students are completing paper/pencil assignments. Print the QR code on the paper and others can access the video using their mobile devices or tablets.
Optional: You can also add additional Sharing Options from applications that have partnered with Screencastify. At this time, you can link the following accounts:
Edpuzzle- This tool allows you to embed questions and resources throughout your video. This is a great way of conducting formative assessment while students are engaging with your lesson.
Wakelet- This is a curation tool that allows you to collect resources into one place.
Remind- Keep in mind that the district approved communication tool is Blackboard Parentlink.
Once you have selected one of these applications, it will appear in your sharing options for all future videos.
Exporting and Downloading Your Video
Exporting and Downloading Your Video
You can also download your video to your computer or export it in a different format. One of the features that sets Screencastify apart from the other recording tools is its ability to export as an audio file only. This is a great way to record directions for your students. These audio files can then be added to other tools, like Google Slides.
In the right sidebar on your Screencastify video page, you will see a drop down menu called Download. Within that menu, you will find the following options.
Download- This feature will allow you to save your video to your computer. The file is saved as a .webm.
Export as MP4- This feature will also allow you to save your video to your computer, but in a much more recognizable format.
Export Audio Only- This feature allows you to isolate the audio in your recording and save it as an mp3 file. This is a great way to record audio instructions for students. You can upload these mp3 files to your Google Drive and insert them directly into a Google Slides presentation.
Export Animated GIF- A GIF can be used to create animated images that loop. When you save your video as a GIF, it will remove the sound and loop the picture so that it will continuously play. These GIFs can be inserted into many platforms just as you would insert an image. For reference, the animated image in Step 3 is a GIF and was created using Screencastify.
Use the information you from Step 9 to practice sharing your practice video.
Note that the Practice steps do not need to be completed to receive credit for this course. You will learn more about posting assignments and uploading videos in the Google Classroom and YouTube self-paced courses, so you may need to complete those before you are able to share your video.
Your Turn to Try
Your Turn to Try
Using your practice video from Step 6, try sharing it each of the following ways.
Use the Shareable Link to draft an email. (Note: You do not actually need to send the email.)
Share it as an assignment to Google Classroom. (Note: You do not need to post the assignment. You can also post it, but then delete it from your Google Classroom.)
Share your Video to YouTube. (You will then want to delete your video from your YouTube Channel if you do not intend to use it for instruction.)
You must answer all questions correctly and receive a score of at least 80% to receive credit for this course.
👉You may retake the assessment as many times as you need in order to score 80%👈
NOTE:
You must be logged into your FWISD Google Account in order to take this assessment. In another browser window, navigate to www.fwisd.org/myfwisd and log in. If you have not used your FWISD Google Drive before, you must click on Google Drive within your MyFWISD portal in order to activate your FWISD Google connection. Once you have initiated that connection, you will be able to return to this page and click on the image above to take the assessment.
Before taking the assessment, can you answer these guiding questions?
Before taking the assessment, can you answer these guiding questions?
What are the best practices for recording instructional videos?
What is a Chrome Extension?
What are the key differences between Screencast-o-Matic, Screencastify and Loom?
How do I access Screencastify?
How do I record a video?
How do I edit my video?
How do I share my video?
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