Screencasting can be described as a digital audio and video recording of your computer screen. In other words, it is the video equivalent of a “screenshot”, with the ability to add your own voice and video to the recording. Instructors can use this method to share content in a personalized way.
The most significant benefit of using screencasts for your class is that students can pause and re-watch the video as much as they need. This means that with a screencast lesson or demonstration, they can learn at their own pace, which may not be possible when the same content is being shared live. Screencasts give students complete control over the pace of the lesson, allowing them to review any part of the video any number of times, to gain more clarity.
Another great use of screencasts is providing audio-visual feedback to students. The ability to add your voice to the visuals that you want to share adds the personal touch that may be absent with text-based feedback. When students receive written comments on assignments, they may or may not respond to all of them in terms of revisions. Much of the reason is often the fact that they have difficulty understanding what the instructor wants them to do. However, when students can see their assignments, while hearing the voice of their instructor as they point to and discuss specific elements of their work, they are more likely to understand what they need to revise and how. To learn more about video feedback, also called “veedback”, read this article by Thompson and Lee (2012).
Watch this video by Paul Anderson to learn more about what screencasts look like and how they could enhance your students’ learning experience. To explore resources on Kaltura media space, visit the Kaltura Tutorials website. If you would like to meet with an instructional technologist to create a screencast for your class, schedule an appointment today.
Contributor: Kevin Burkitt
Editor: Amina Khan