A "screencast" is a video of a computer screen that may include the teacher's voice giving directions or clarifying concepts. Screencasts can be an integral part of your flipped or blended classroom, so let's explore more on this subject.

Screencasting Tools

Tool	Price	Features
Screencastify	Free for basic features. $24/year for premium features. See the difference between the plans.	Is a Chrome extension, so it works in just a couple clicks within your browser. Save to Google Drive or YouTube. Record on a desktop, laptop, or Chromebook (but students can watch the videos on any device). 10 minute recording limit + 50 videos/month on the free plan.
Screencast-o-Matic	Free for basic features. $18/year (or less, depending on how long you commit) for premium features. See the difference between the plans.	Record by going through the website or by downloading the software to your computer. Save the file to your computer or to YouTube. Records on a desktop or laptop computer (but students can watch the videos on any device). 15 minute recording limit on the free plan.
Explain Everything	30-day free trial. $25/year subscription is necessary after the trial period.	Records on iOS devices, Chromebooks, Android devices, and Microsoft 10 computers (but students can watch the videos on any device). Import PDFs, images, a live browser, and more into the video pane. Add annotations, animations, and narrations to guide students through the lesson. Save to Google Drive or YouTube.

Where to Store Your Screencasts

Video files can take up a lot of room! While the end goal is to put your videos into Canvas for student viewing, you may want to save a copy elsewhere. Here are two options:

Google Drive: Your CISD Google account comes with plenty of storage in your Google Drive. Everything you put in your Drive is private by default.
YouTube: For screencasts, teachers who prefer not to make all their videos public could utilize the "hidden" privacy option, making them accessible to only those with the link.

Tools to Use During Your Screencast

Any presentation tool will work, as the students just have to be able to see what you're referring to as you speak. Tools you may consider using:

General Tips for Screencasting

Create a concept map or storyboard prior to recording. If you'd like to include a detailed script of what to say, try using the presenter notes in Google Slides.
Use visuals to keep your content interesting. Search the Creative Commons for images.
Keep your videos less than 5 minutes in length. If you need to give more information, consider chunking the lesson (ex. Part I and Part II).
Record in a quiet space. Your district laptop has a built-in microphone that should work just fine, but if you'd like a more professional sound quality, you could purchase headphones with a microphone.

Example

Review an example of how one English teacher flipped her writing process.

One English teacher flipped her writing process.

Resources

Screencasting and Screen Recording in the Classroom
Screencasting in the Classroom
The Ultimate Screencasting Guide for Teachers and Students

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