Screencasting

//Making your knowledge flow on the screen//
 * SCREENCAST**

** What it is **

A screencast is a recorded video that simultaneously shows a computer screen and a presenter. The screen may include a presentation, a website or other media, which the presenter refers to during the screencast. Screencasts can be shared via e-mail, intranet, web, etc., and are very useful in sharing knowledge, particularly in the contexts of training and advocacy.

** When to use it **


 * When the knowledge is "owned" by the person or group generating the screencast.
 * To reach out an audience with more than text-based information and knowledge.
 * To create non text-based advocacy or promotional material.
 * To create a tutorial on the use, tips and tricks of a particular software, website, online database, etc.
 * To provide an introduction to a learning event that participants can view in advance.

** How it is applied **

Technological aspects
 * Software available for screencasting: [|Camtasia] (not free), simplified version of [|Jing], which is Open Source (free).
 * Most webconferencing softwares and services available (eg: Wiziq or Elluminate) also allow sessions to be recorded.
 * Skype also has plugins available that allow you to share your screen and record the session.
 * Camtasia allows for the addition of quizzes and feedback to questions at the end of a screencast.
 * Camtasia also generates SCORM compliant screencasts. This means that they follow technological standards that allow the screencast to be integrated later in many learning management platforms.

Methodological aspects
 * When you allocate time to producing a screencast, bear in mind that preparation and post-recording editing can take as much as 80% of your time and effort.
 * Prepare a script and practice it while moving the mouse to make sure audio and video are synchronized.
 * Record in a quiet environment to minimise background sounds.
 * Position the microphone to the side of your mouth
 * Speak clearly and at a pace that suits your audience
 * Beware of the “ummms”, silences over 3 seconds, breathing sounds and popping (“p”s and “b”s)
 * When uploading the screencast to your platform of choice (wiki, blog, website, etc.), make sure you include a descriptive text and possibly the script.

** What you will need **


 * A computer


 * A webcam


 * A microphone


 * Depending on the sound quality required, you may need more costly microphones and even environment noise isolated rooms.
 * Screencasting software (see above)

** Quote **

"Prior to the Share, Learn, Innovate Knowledge Sharing Workshop, one of the facilitators shared a screencast with all participants. This provided a more interactive way to become familiarized with the content and objectives of the workshop and also allowed participants to "meet" one of the facilitators before the start of the workshop". Mara Steccazzini

To view the screencast, please follow this link: [|__http://training.itcilo.org/Delta/ohchrkmworkshop/ohchrkmworkshop.html__]

** Where to learn more **


 * ITCILO []
 * Common elements and instructional strategies: []
 * Screencasts as a pedagogical tool []
 * Video tutorial []