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.

Spruce up your Presentations

I am thinking most teachers can relate to this.

You have some notes to give, but you just don't want to use "PowerPoint" again.

OR, perhaps you have an assignment where you want the students to present some information, but you would like to try something new?

Well, for the sake of variety, perhaps you could use a different presentation application?

There are a number of online resources, out there.  Some of them incorporate video, some of them are for "booklets" or "magazines", some of them are for animation or comic strips.

The point is, there is a lot of different resources available, and by "mixing up" the variety of your presentations and/or assignments you can keep things a bit more fresh.

I am going to post a list of them below.

1.  Google Slides "Google Drive" version of PowerPoint.
2. Prezi - Interactive slide show
3. Glogster - Poster Creator
4. Go Animate - online animation resource
5. Info.gram - creates graphics and Charts
6. Issuu - creates online documents "magazines"
7. Knovio - online presentations, with audio or video embedded?
8. Metta.io - online presentations with Video... compatible with Google Drive
9. SlideRocket - online presentations
10. StoryJumper - create online Story Books
11. SimpleBooklet - create online "Booklets"
12. Storybird - create, read, and print Art inspired stories.
13. StripCreator create and share comic strips
14. ToonDo - create your own comic strips and comic books
15. VoiceThread - create and share images with images, audio, and video
16. Zentation - Presentation tool that brings together slides and video.

Note:  This is certainly not an "all-inclusive" list.  There are always new websites, and new ideas being implemented.  This is a just a list I had on hand.

ALSO:  Most of the sites are free, or have a free option.  It is possible that some of them are NOT free and that there is a charge for their service.

I haven't used them all, but I have had students who have used many of the sites discussed here for various products, and I have been very pleased when getting the results.