Screencasting in Distance Advising

A screencast is nothing more than a digital recording of one’s computer screen, which is usually accompanied by some sort of audio narration that explains what’s  happening. Screencasts are useful because they allow you to demonstrate a specific activity or teach others how to perform a particular task, which might otherwise be too cumbersome to explain over the phone or through chat. Another useful way to use screencasts is to record a presentation, which can then be uploaded as a video (youtube), downloaded as a movie file, or  shared via a link.

There are a number of different screencasting applications out there but here are a few worth checking out.

The best thing about Screenr is that it is free, it is a web application (runs from the browser),  and it is packed full of features. You can use a social sign-on with Facebook or Twitter, comment on your screencast, embed your screencast, and record up to five minutes of video.  Although the record time is relatively small, the features make it a good pick for screencasting.

Screencast-o-matic is another free screencasting program. It is a web application which means it runs right from your browser. However, you do need JAVA 1.5 or higher. The free version of this program has limited features but includes the necessities (uploading, exporting). The best thing about Screencast-o-matic is that it allows up to 15 minutes of record time!

Jing is another free screencapture program. Like Screenr, it limits record time to 5 minutes. Jing is not a web application so you must download the program. It has some added features that allow you to take screen shots, create arrows, highlight information, and insert comments. In my experience, the final product is a bit choppy.

Which screencasting applications are you using and how do you use them in your advising? Post a comment or participate in the forum to share with others.