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A screencast is a screen capture of the actions on a user s computer screen, typically with accompanying audio. 2
Making screencasts requires special software that captures activity on a screen. We use Camtasia Studio: http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/ Other notable options include: Adobe Captivate: http://www.adobe.com/products/captivate/ Jing: http://www.techsmith.com/jing/ 3
To watch a screencast, you only need a viewer capable of showing the appropriate file format. For many screencasts, this means nothing more than a Web browser with a media player, such as QuickTime, Flash, or Windows Media Player. 4
Screencasts can be streamed over a network or downloaded and watched later. One option is to save screencasts on a portable device with video capability, such as a video ipod. Although the small screen makes some screencasts impractical for portable devices, others work well, allowing learners more freedom in where and when they view recorded sessions. 5
Screencasts can personalize any learning experience where learners are remote from the instructor. 6
Screencasts add an active, visual element to resources available outside class. Rather than simply relying on texts or notes, learners can replay class sessions or demonstrations, seeing how an application is manipulated while hearing the instructor talk. 7
The technology also offers a simple means of providing a fixed presentation, one that shows the same material in a consistent, repeatable form. Routine training for large numbers of learners, such as learning about an institution s course management system or other campus wide systems, is an excellent candidate for screencasts. 8
The obvious drawback of screencasts is that they are not interactive. Although some topics lend themselves to fixed demonstration, others do not and should not be taught with screencasts. 9
Bite sized movies every Friday with timesaving tips and tricks. Staff register to receive our weekly email, inviting them to watch the latest edition. Email contains a description of this weeks ebyte and the duration, it also contains a description of what is coming up next week. 10
Each ebyte also has a printable version available. 11
We produce ebytes on a range of topics, including Microsoft Office, File Management, Operating Systems and Social Media. 12
We have over 700 subscribers. Academic 36% Professional 53% Technical 6% Other 5% Grown Organically, mainly through word of mouth. 13
We survey our subscribers annually, to ensure we are delivering the best possible service, and meeting their needs and expectations. 14
Survey feedback. 15
Survey feedback. 16
The screencasting process can be split into 5 steps Planning, Recording, Editing, Producing & Sharing. 17
The first step in the screencasting process is planning. 18
Storyboarding is an essential step in the process. A script helps you produce the best audio by allowing you to avoid mistakes or saying um or uh. If you do not want a formal presentation, an outline can help reduce some mistakes. 19
We use PowerPoint, to storyboard our ebytes, by adding screenshots to the slides, and text to the notes pane. The storyboard can later be used as the basis for the printable version. 20
Consider your audience: What connection speed is the majority of your audience on? Does your audience have access to audio? Do you need to include captioning? Will this go to an international audience? Does your audience have any vision impairments? 21
What is the purpose p of your screencast? Common troubleshooting issue for staff? Guidance for students? Software demonstration? Marketing/promotional video? 22
How are you going gto distribute and track your screencast? Will you distribute the video on a Web site, blog, network, CD ROM, DVD, ipod/iphone, specific media player, media hosting site, etc.? It is important to select the appropriate settings to optimize your video for the desired distribution method. Settings such as video dimensions, file size, and file format are important when creating a video. How will you track it? Gather feedback? 23
The second step in the screencasting process is recording. 24
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What dimensions will you record at: Full screen or Custom? Will your videos highlight the cursor? Opening/Closing slides? Resolution? Transitions? 26
Practice is the key to creating professional videos. It takes practice to learn how to move the cursor or open applications so they appear in the recording area. Also, practice to get the positioning of the Recorder, Web browser, or application just right. 27
A one minute video can take two or three minutes to record for an experienced user while a beginner may need 30 minutes or longer to get it right. 28
Camtasia records anything on your screen. Clean up your Web browser and desktop by closing or removing nonessential applications, browser toolbars, and desktop icons. A plain background on your desktop is better than busy wallpaper. 29
If you do not want to record pop up p p windows, make sure to turn off pop ups by using a pop up blocker or your browser s built in pop up blocker. 30
Then, import the short clips into Camtasia Studio to join into a longer production. Use the same dimensions for each clip. Leave plenty of time for extra takes. 31
Normal mouse and cursor movement can appear jerky, hesitant, or too fast in the recording. To eliminate some of these issues, practice using the mouse around the screen in a slow, fluid motion. 32
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USB microphones use less computer resources and record better audio than an analogue microphone connected to your computer s audio card. 35
Experiment with different volume levels and different microphone placement. Six inches from the microphone is usually good to record full tones, but not too close that other noises interfere. 36
Any microphone can pick up nearby noises. Most office areas have a lot of background noise that you may or may not notice. 37
A script helps you produce the best audio by allowing you to avoid mistakes or saying um or uh. If you do not want a formal presentation, an outline can help reduce some mistakes. 38
Speak as though you are addressing a small audience in a large room. 39
The green to yellow range indicates normal. Orange to red warns you are too close to the over modulated input. Best audio quality occurs when the Audio Input meter is in the green to very light orange range. 40
Audio enhancements help you automatically improve the quality of the audio tracks by evening out volume levels and by removing noise. 41
Hands on activity 42
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The third step in the screencasting process is editing. You can Import files: Video files (.camrec,.avi,.mpg,.wmv,.mov) Image files (.bmp,.gif,.jpg,.png) Audio files (.wav,.mp3,.wma) Timeline Edits Select Part of Timeline Lock/Unlock Track Unlink Audio & Video Cut Selection Split Clip Extend Frame Edit Duration Save Frame as Image Add Marker Edit Audio Basic Audio Editing Record Voice Narration Audio Enhancements Save Audio Add Effects Create Title Clip Zoom n Pan Callouts Transitions Captioning Picture in Picture i (PIP) Metadata 44
Camtasia Overview Toolbar 45
Camtasia Overview Tabs 46
Camtasia Overview Clip Bin 47
Camtasia Overview Preview Window 48
Camtasia Overview Timeline Toolbar 49
Camtasia Overview Timeline 50
The fourth step in the screencasting process is producing. Production Presets You can Add/Edit Preset Once you have created a preset you can then Share Preset Custom Production Settings You can create custom production settings to suit your needs 51
Production Presets 52
The fifth step in the screencasting process is sharing. This is something you will have considered before you started how are you going to share/distribute your screencast? 53
Screencasts can personalize any learning experience where learners are remote from the instructor. Screencasts add an active, visual element to resources available outside class. Rather than simply relying on texts or notes, learners can replay class sessions or demonstrations, seeing how an application is manipulated while hearing the instructor talk. The technology also offers a simple means of providing a fixed presentation, one that shows the same material in a consistent, repeatable form. Routine training for large numbers of learners, such as learning about an institution s course management system or other campus wide systems, is an excellent candidate for screencasts. Although some topics lend themselves to fixed demonstration, others do not and should not be taught with screencasts. 54
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