A Screencast is a digital recording of computer screen output which is also called video screen capture, often containing some audio narration.
These videos show you how to perform something while the creator of the video can give you verbal instructions about what you are to complete. This is a really good tool for trying to convey a lesson or something that is hard to describe with a paragraph or word-of-mouth. This technology is really great if you need to describe how to perform some action within a software program. The majority of the threads on classroom 2.0 had to do with using Screencasting as a teaching tool as well as the best programs, read the cheapest program, for creating and distributing their Screencasts. The coolest idea I saw being discussed was the use of Screencasts on students’ ipods. That is the coolest idea ever because what student doesn’t own an ipod or some form of video MP3 player. The most popular programs were Windows Media Encoder and Camtasia for the PC, there were some other freeware programs but the people on the forum did not recommend them as the quality was not very good. Seems that this is one of the tools that are being adopted in the classroom for teachers to continue to help students with their assignments and test preparation. I am all for it and would implement this in my classroom.
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I agree that screencasts are a great tool for explaining a complicated web or software process. It seems a bit more limited as a test prep tool though, unless the class was a technology class of some sort. This would tend to limit it's usefulness to only particular Jr. High and High School classes. Also, most young kids don't have i-pod type devices which would also seem to be a limiting factor for this technology in grade school classes.
ReplyDeleteScreencasts sound like a great way to give instruction while still catching the students attention. I found that putting screencasts on a student's ipod is awesome. They are more likely to be engaged and understand the instructions, plus it is more convenient to store in a place like their ipods. I agree with David that only Jr. High and High School students would be able to use the screencasts. As well as be limited to only students who have ipods. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI think that any process that can help you explain a difficult idea is OK by me. The real benefit comes when the kids can review them at home to reinforce the technology lesson.
ReplyDeleteRicardo, thanks for your informative post. I found that Screencasts is a wonderful tool for describing complicated instructions within a software program. As you mentioned,students can put screencasts in their own ipods, so they have access to their lessons any time. It is awesome, but it seems to be limited to certain students who have ipods.
ReplyDeleteScreencasting sounds cool. Kids are always listening to the iPod's anyway, we might as well give them educational stuff to listen to. It's too bad though that a lot of kids in lower-income areas wouldn't really be able to benefit from this due to the lack of access to an iPod.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great technological tool for middle school and above. Middle schoolers that I know have Ipods and how cool would it be to have explanations and other tools available to them.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is really interesting! When I have to perform a new task on the internet or use a computer program I've never used before, I find it's oftentimes difficult to follow written directions. This would make those kinds of things so much easier! Since I'll be teaching English, I could use a tool like this to teach my students things like how to properly format a Word document when typing an essay. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteWow! Another great tool! This sounds very helpful and easy to access for the students. I like the thought of having several delivery options available to us as teachers.
ReplyDelete