Screencasting Options

Greetings again, today I thought I would list some options for those who are looking into some options for "Screen Casting".

First off, what does it mean to 'Screen Cast'?

Screencasting is a valuable tool when you are presenting "How To" do things in an online environment.

Here are a few options that I am familiar with:

1. One Note 2016  -This One is Often Forgotten... but you can do Video and Audio recordings of yourself using One Note.  Which is installed on everyone's computers.
NOTE:  ... you aren't recording your screen... but you can record yourself...talking and explaining.  Either through Video... or Just Audio.  

-You can take screen clippings as well.

Some of the things you can do in One Note.

2. Screencastify - Screencastify is a Google Extension.  It will work in Google Chrome only.
It is free, and is well liked, and I know several schools have staff who use this.  There is a limit to the size of the videos.  Find Screentastify here:  https://www.screencastify.com/

3. Screencast-O-Matic is a "web based" screencaster...NOTHING to install!  AND, it is also free.  It runs in your web browser.  As a free tool, this also has a time limit.  https://screencast-o-matic.com/

4. Loom - I just heard of this one... it was going around on the Tech Director Listserv.  Seems like people are really liking Loom.  https://www.loom.com/ 

There is a free version, which has shorter videos, and a Professional version. 

Also, during the Covid-19 Outbreak, they are making Loom Professional free for Educators.
For more information Go HERE

Lastly... here is a link to an article I found the other day, that has some other options on there.  Screencast-O-Matic is one of the options on there.  Some of them are web based, some of them are programs that need to be installed. But this article is a good resource for you to look at.
https://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-free-screen-recorder

Reminder... if you NEED something installed... you will likely need to have me do this for you.  I can walk you through this...or I can do this for you on Monday when we get together.

I think the main thing to remember here, is that "everyone will have different needs and ideas"... what will work for one class, may NOT work for another.  So be creative, and think of different things you can try.  Don't think you are WRONG, if you are doing something different from someone else.

Using Google Classroom

As we prepare for the possibility of moving to some sort of 'online learning' for a week, or a couple weeks, or more... (who knows?)

I thought I would share a quick post on Using Google Classroom.  I know that we have a few staff members who already use Google Classroom (Mr. Mitchell is one that immediately comes to mind.

All Elkton Teaching Staff have a Google Account that comes with your K12 account that is provided to you from the K12 Data Center.  That Google Account gives you the opportunity to create and use a Google Classroom.

I have been using Google Classroom with my Computer Applications class for the last several years.  In fact, we use it to do ALL of our assignments.  I like it for a number of reasons, including:

1. It organizes all your assignments...they are right there.  There is no "losing" one, or searching through folders to find an assignment.  The Google Classroom automatically puts the submissions from each into a separate Google Drive folder.  You can access them directly from the Classroom itself...or you can go into your Google Classroom folders on Google Drive.
2. It is accessible online from anywhere.  You don't need to be at school to Grade assignments, you can do it from anywhere with an internet connection.  THIS is also a positive for the students, as they can turn in assignments from anywhere, at any time.
3. YOU can include all kinds of materials to your students via Google Classroom, including papers, notes, worksheets, etc.
4. You can include links to anything you would want the student to do.  You can even do your tests on Google Classroom using "Google Forms".
5. Although there isn't a "video" portion to record yourself... you can include links to videos, including Youtube, but you can also make a brief video of yourself using your computer webcam, and simply upload it to google drive, where you can include a link to it in a post.
6. Audio - you can do similar with Audio files.  Record yourself, either on your computer, or even on your phone, if you like... then upload the file into a Google Drive folder and share it...and anyone with the link can listen to it.

My last 4 Semesters of classes on Google Classroom

Over the past few years, I have had the students do all types of assignments and upload them to the Google Classroom... some of them have been online work, where they have to post the link.  Some of them have been work on Microsoft Office Products where they upload the actual file that they created, and some of them have been Google Products that they created right in the Google Classroom (there is an option that says 'create' when they look at the assignment)
-I even have the students upload Microsoft Publisher files into Google Classroom... there is no Google equivalent for 'Publisher' on the web, but the files are there, and I can access them by downloading them on my computer and opening them in Publisher. (they appear like BLANK files in Google Drive)

A Google Classroom is a very simple and effective way to get information and assignments to students, AND gives them the opportunity to submit things back to you.
-You DO need to have an internet connection to access Google Classroom.

If you have further questions regarding Google Classroom, or would like help setting one up, please let me know.