A screencast is a digital recording of computer screen output, also known as a video screen capture, often containing audio narration.
Just as a screenshot is a picture of a user's screen, a screencast is essentially a movie of the changes over time that a user sees on his monitor.
Screencasts are excellent tools for learning how to use computers, and several podcasts have started to teach computer users how to use software through screencasts.
Educators are now using screencasts as another means of integrating technology into the curriculum. Students can record video and audio as they demonstrate the proper procedure to solve a problem on an interactive whiteboard.
A screencast is a digital movie in which the setting is partly or wholly a computer screen, and in which audio narration describes the on-screen action. It's not a new idea.
What's new is the emergence of a genre of documentary filmmaking that tells stories about software-based cultures like Wikipedia, del.icio.us, and contentremixing. These uses of the medium, along with a new breed of lightweight softwaredemonstrations, inspired the collaborative coining of a new term, screencast.
If you are new to using multi-media tools like video and audio software, expect a learning curve.
Whatever your situation, you need to think like a Hollywood filmmaker and give yourself to permission to approach the task as if you were taking some home videos to document an important activity.
bit-sized chunks
clear outlines and headings
conversational style rather than a formal one
Some people find that writing a script or at least bullet points can help them focus the presentation and makes it easier to organize for the production
Others find that having a script helps them keep on track and makes sychronizing the video with the narration much easier.
Storyboarding helps you organize the source material and ensures that you cover what you need to cover.
Your screencast may include different source material such as video screen captures, real life video, photos, music, titles, and the recorded narrative.
For each scene, note what narrative, images, video, or titles will be needed.
ased on my storyboard, I usually created a production punch list organized by scene.
with my script in hand, I capture the video sections only while practicing my narration.
It takes a little practice,
If you're screen recording Internet applications that are taking a lot of time load, be sure not narrate over those sections so you can easily cut out the wait time
Although you can capture your entire screen, you definitely don't want to
I generally capture a window at 800x600 with the same playback size or 640x480
You may also need to use the zoom or pan to maintain focus or so menu details do not get lost.
In general, what doesn't clearly tell the story should be cut.
Even simple things have their traps and if you have not learned them and how to avoid them, you can expect disappointment.
relying on improvisation is a sure way to frustration
if you do not want to record the narration a thousand times and to reduce the risk of "hmmm"-s and "ahhh"
If you make a mistake, just pretend that everything is OK and go on as planned. Later, when you finish the recording, software will help you to correct it.
Rule number one is to avoid long sentences because by the time you have reached the end of the sentence, the listeners would have forgotten its beginning
Rule number two: avoid difficult words that can be tongue-twisters for you and unfamiliar to your audience.
the user can pause it anytime to continue it later,
After the 5-minute threshold many people start to lose concentration and get distracted.
the worst you can do is to speed up your narration
Screencasting programs are resource-hungry and can slow your computer considerably
close all unnecessary programs (and even restart your machine) before you start recording
documentation provides important information about how things get done in the particular program
stuffing demo with video effects can have a dramatic impact on its size.
excessive editing can make the demo sound artificial.
It works with Twitter and the screencasts play as Flash on the web. You can also upload the screencasts to YouTube. And you can even download the videos as MP4 files. They also look nice on the iPhone.
can create a video and easily add it to your blog, wiki, or website (or any other place that takes HTML)
Download Screenr MP4 Files & Add to Your Course
Create a Virtual Whiteboard
Have your learners do screencasts to demonstrate their skills. It’s a great way to reinforce their learning and assess their level of understanding.
Here’s an example where both teacher and learner are going through the process together. It gives you an idea of how Screenr can add value to the learning process.
Here’s an example of what it looks like if you view the Screenr videos from an iPhone or iPod Touch.
Once a screen recording gets published online it is normally referred to as a "screencast" (a broadcast of a screen recording).
Screencasting and screen recording tools give you the possibility to capture videos of either the full area of your computer screen or alternatively of a specific area of your monitor. You can use all of your computer normal functions while screen recording and even record your own audio as you comment and highlight the tasks being carried out
Screencasting Tools Comparison Table
Camtasia is probably the most known screencasting solution to record your screen easily
CamStudio allows you to create AVI video files to be converted into Streaming Flash videos (SWF)
Free to download and use.
the video can be uploaded directly to your account. Fully free, uTipu works on Windows XP and Vista only.
After the screencasting session ends, you can edit your recording by drawing on it, adding notes, or recording a voice over narration.
ou can save your output video in multiple formats and codecs, and add a real-time audio narration. oRipa is free to download and use
Jing is a downloadable application for taking screenshots and screencasts of your monitor
you can capture any part of your screen, or even capture videos from a webcam.
if you prefer to share it, simply use the automatic upload service that will store your file online and will let you embed it in your website or blog.
When done, you can publish the screencast online or download it in .mov format.
follow the cursor” feature: using this mode you can produce a video or image of relatively