Using screen capture software
Teachers are busy people so it’s great to find a tool that’s quick to learn, easy to use, and can be applied in many different ways. Screen capture software is a really useful tool to support teaching, learning, and assessment. Screencasting tools make a recording of whatever is on your monitor.
There are many screen capture tools available. ScreenCast-O-Matic is just one, it is free for 15-minute recordings and as long as you are prepared to have a small watermark that says it was recorded using ScreenCast-O-Matic. Once you have made your recording you can save it as an mp4 video or you can upload it to YouTube to share with your learners or colleagues.
Other screencasting software includes: Screencastify, Loom and you can also record your screen in Microsoft Teams and also Zoom.
Screen capture software can be used in a number of ways as demonstrated below:
Providing video feedback
Giving feedback on learner assignments using screen capture software. Take a look at this video providing ‘Feedback on an assignment’.
Why?
- To highlight areas for improvement and achievement as you talk through an assignment, in much the same way as you would do if a learner was sitting next to you.
- A learner can revisit the video as many times as they need to.
- A learner hears your voice, your tone – encouragement, etc. Research shows a teacher thinks more about the feedback they provide when giving audio feedback than written. A learner reading written feedback could easily misunderstand the statements you write.
Presentations with voiceovers
Using screen capture on PowerPoint presentations means the presentation can be more accessible to the learner but also can be reviewed as many times as necessary. During Covid-19 this approach was used as it enabled teachers to record their lesson and students to access at a time that worked for them. Take a look at this video providing an ‘Introduction to punctuation’.
Why?
- Powerpoints don’t include everything you say when delivering them in class.
- Support for learners who miss a class
- Support with language skills
- Remove the need to have Powerpoint or a Powerpoint player on the learner’s device (phone, tablet, computer)
How to Video Guides
Creating video guides for using software tools, screen capture is used extensively as evidenced by the number of ‘How-Tos’ on Youtube. This video shows how to ‘Get started with Padlet‘.
Why?
- To enable independent learning
- To provide recap support between classes or for revision
- To facilitate pedagogies such as flipped learning
- For staff training on the use of VLEs, Email, ePortfolio software, etc.
The following are some additional ideas to get you thinking but without any linked video examples.
Learner Assignments – Learners record the screen for assessment submission.
Why?
- Assessments that are fit for purpose and can be carried out away from the classroom. For example computer-based tasks for apprentices.
- Learners creating ePortfolios. For example, learners talk over a series of photographs of practical activities such as art or cookery to explain what they did and how.
- Accessible assessment for LDD students.
Learner Support – Learners make their own recordings for support purposes.
Why?
- Learners record problems they encounter using software whilst studying ICT, photo editing or social media etc. to upload to VLEs for discussion, peer support etc. This can help to provide support outside the classroom and on online courses.
Website and VLE Tours – Recordings made of the organisation’s website and VLE.
Why?
- Induction for Learners and staff
- Support blended and online learning
Can you add to the list of ideas? How do you use screen capture software with your learners or for staff?
Written for HOLEX by Ideas4learning Ltd.