Screencasting


 * WHY?** Screencasting can be used to deliver content to students both in class, but also over the network so that they can use if for revision, or catching up when they miss class. The most powerful use of this method comes when you use it to "flip" your instruction for students where you use a screencast lesson as homework to introduce a concept and then follow this up when you meet in class with Q&A, review, further explanation and time for them to apply and work problems. By flipping and bringing the "homework" to class students can get your help when they need it most - during the application of their learning. Also, it gives the teacher valuable insight (formative assessment) into how well the students "get it" and what problems individuals are having. These things are not immediately obvious when students do their homework outside of class, turn in the paper and get 80% say. What do they know? what is the thinking that they have right? What do they have wrong? You're left to guess really. Screencasts can also be made by students as they solve problems and these can be shared with the class and/or teacher which gives valuable insight into the problem-solving process.

media type="custom" key="8659918"
 * WHAT?** Screencasting is a video recording of your computer screen with (or without) your voice narrating. It can be used to demonstrate software and technical functions, but in conjunction with other software can be used to create a lesson. There a emerging resources from the likes of Khan Academy who are using this approach to personalize instruction and distributing it for free on the internet.
 * HOW?** The most important thing to consider when making a screencast is not the technology, rather it's the lesson itself. What are your goals? How will you "hook" the students? What do you want them to get from it? How will you show them? Some lessons will lend themselves better to online delivery and "flip instruction" than others. The process basically involves three steps:


 * PREP: Basically, to record a screencast you need to know what websites and software you'll use on your computer and how. For example, you could have students organize data in an Excel spreadsheet and you'd demonstrate how you open Excel, choose to set up the table, label columns, put in data, format, chart, use formulas, etc. Online whiteboard tools like Scriblink allow you to draw, write text and annotate images & diagrams on your screen. These can be saved and shared with others via email or URL too. Khan academy use [|Smoothdraw] on a tablet or tablet PC (Windows only) for their videos but you could also use and simple graphics program you have like Paint.
 * RECORDING: Recording your screen can be done with simple free web-based tools like Screenr or Screencast-o-matic or with free software link Techsmith's Jing.
 * DISTRIBUTION: Sharing your screencast with students can be done a million ways, but I think the easiest workflow is to upload your work to Posterous. Posterous is basically a "posting place" that takes posts from the web, mobile apps, or even via email. It can be easily embedded in the portal too so that students and parents can view it there.