Screencasting 101

Tools and Tricks of Making Great Screencasts

by Nicole Dalesio

Free Tools to Explore

• Screencasting
• Presentation
• Conversion

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Free Screencasting

Quicktime (included on all newer Macs.)

• Quick and easy
• Export to any format
• Can edit individual screencasts later in iMovie.

Free Screencasting

Screenr

• Quick/easy web-based (up to 5 min.)
• Easy sharing, embedding
• Download as mp4 videos
• Can edit individual screencasts later in iMovie.

Free Screencasting

Jing

Downloadable free version of the software available.

Free Tools to Explore

MPEG Streamclip

Free, downloadable video conversion tool

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Paid Screencasting Software

From TechSmith

• Snagit
• Jing (free and paid versions)
• Camtasia for Mac* / Camtasia Studio

(high resolution, easy to learn how to use)

*my favorite

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Paid Screencasting Software

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Adobe Captivate

Industry standard

Interactive, powerful, high quality

Higher learning curve

Most expensive, but huge discount for educators

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(All types of paid software have free 30-day trials)

Free Presentation Tools

Google Presentation:

• Easy link share and embeddable
• Collaborative
• Works well with Google Sites, Blogger, etc.
• Free, can add links, YouTube videos (screencasts), images, text

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Free Presentation Tools

My Brainshark

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• Add narrations to your presentations, pictures,screenshots, and/or video clips

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• Easy sharing and embedding

Free Presentation Tools

Prezi

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• Mix screencasts and other media into your presentations
• Easy sharing and embedding

Copyright Friendly Free Audio Resources

Consider adding music or sound effects to your

screencasts. Here are some great places to find it:

Absolute Sound Effects Archive - tons of free sound effects for download, no sign-in needed, easy preview

Artist Server - Over 7,000 free music downloads to choose from, no sign-in required

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Jamendo - large library of free music to download; organized by genre (favorite)

Dig ccMixter - free songs to download, many are mashups and remixes, and new remixes are encouraged (favorite)

Incompetech - free songs and sound effects to download organized by genre (favorite)

Vimeo - Free songs of all types (favorite)

Soungle - free site for sound effects and musical instrument sounds; can preview before downloading

AudioFarm - free music, radio shows, podcasts to download legally

Find Sounds -

Free Play Music - a busy site with lots of free sounds/songs

Free Music Archive - legal downloads that are high quality

FreeSound - no songs, just sounds; free, sign-in required to download

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Better Screencasting / Video Tips

• Get an external microphone for voice overs.
• Practice before recording
• Zoom in and out as needed
• Mix your media: add voice, text, music, videos, drawings, screenshots, screencasts and video
• Be concise, and edit out dead time.
• Show or tell what you are going to teach before diving into the lesson.

Links to my tutorials

Photoshop for Kids Channel

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Picnik Silhouette Sample Tutorial