Being able to create or incorporate video and screencasts in your classroom is a key part of blended learning. Students could watch videos at home. Typically, these videos contain information that would be in a teacher’s lecture. Then, in the classroom, students do activities they typically would do for homework. Students can pause the videos or replay them if they need to. In addition, if you create your own videos, you are adding that personal touch to connect with your students.
1. Screencast-o-Matic - Screencast-O-Matic is a fantastic tool that will let you record directly form the site. You can record up to 15 minutes and it allows for webcam picture recording. Videos are saved in .mp4, .flv, or .avi video format or you can upload directly to YouTube.
2. Screencastify - Screencastify is a Chrome extension that allows you to Record, Edit, Annotate, Store, and Share video screen captures. Record a specific tab, or your whole desktop at the click of a button. The free Lite version limits recording time to 10 minutes per video and has a watermark. Here is a blog entry by Eric Curts about 7 Super Screencasting Activities for School.
3. My Simple Show – This tool makes a quick “explainer video” with nice graphics. All you need is a simple script, this easy, free tool does the rest.
4. Nimbus Screencapture/Screenrecording - Nimbus is a Chrome extension for capturing web pages, either part of it or the whole browser window. You can also edit your screenshots. In addition screen record your desktop or a particular tab.
5. VideoNot.es - Have students use this Google Drive App in conjunction with their Google account in order to take notes while they watch a video that you assign. Their notes are synced with the video - click on a line in the notes and have it jump to that portion of the video.
6. Vialogues - Vialogues allows you to create conversations that revolve around a video.
7. Office Mix - Office Mix is an add-on for powerpoint that allows you to incorporate screencasts, quizzes, and whiteboard drawings into your powerpoints. Upload them to the Mix gallery to turn them into videos and track student assessments.
8. Educannon (Playposit) - A great way to annotate already existing Youtube videos for students to watch at home.
9. EdPuzzle - EdPuzzle allows you to use only what you need from any video, insert audio notes or record over a video with your voice, and add questions at any point in the video and track your students' understanding.