Screencasting for deep, rich learning.

When I want to learn how to do something, I immediately go to YouTube to see if there is an instruction video.  For a long time I wondered how people could record their screen to explain what they were doing in a program - then I learned how to screencast.

Screencasting is "a digital recording of computer screen output, also known as a video screen capture, often containing audio narration" (from Wikipedia).  At first, I saw it as a simple how to tool, then the more I explored, the more potential I saw.

Here are my top three Screencast benefits:

1. Saves time.  How many times have you stood in front of a class and given instructions on how to do something and then, minutes later been asked to show what you just demonstrated?  I am going to hazard millions.  Creating screencasts is a time saver since you don't need to re-explain - and students can pause when they are stuck or have a question!
   
2. Helps me remember.  There are things I do in my job that I learn and I know I will forget.  Now, while someone explains something I will need to reference later, I turn on my screencast tool of choice (Screencastify) and record what is happening on screen.  A video is created that I can come back to and review later.
   
3. Alternate presentation method.  Having taught a lot of students with presentation anxiety, I am always looking for ways to present without being live.  Have students narrate a screencast of a slide deck is a great way to do this.

I prepared this Screencastify HyperDoc a few months ago.  If you are interested in exploring screencasting in more depth, check it out!