Screencast-o-matic Beginner
Classroom Hands-on Training
WHAT IS SCREENCASTING?
 A screencast is a digital recording (movie) that captures actions
taking place on a computer screen.
 Screencast production requires some kind of video-capture
software and a microphone.
 The final product will be a video that can be posted on a web
page or Blackboard. It can also be shared via a link in an
email or IM.
Definition from: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/screencast
Common Uses
 Narrating a PowerPoint Presentation
 Create a “How-to” Tutorial Video
 Lecture Capture
 Introduction Video (break the ice)
Screencasting Software
Web-based
Desktop Application
Cost:
Most services are FREE
Require user to purchase a license to install
it on their computer
Watermarks:
Required watermark from
service provider
Watermark free
Editing:
Typically offer little to no editing
More powerful editing features such as edit
out bad clips or “Umms”, trim start & end
points, zoom, create callouts, etc.
Software
solution:
• http://www.Jing.com/
• http://www.screenr.com/
• http://www.screencast-omatic.com/
• Camtasia (single-user license $299.00)
• Adobe Captivate ($800)
Screencast-O-Matic is a Java-based application that anyone
can use to create screencasts of their screen with no additional
software to download. Without even registering to the site, you
can record anything that happens on your screen just by setting
the capture size, choose if you want audio included, and click
go. When done, you can publish the screencast online or
download it in .mov format. Free to use. Videos up to 15
minutes.
 http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/
Making a video using SOM
 Step 1: Close out all other programs
 Closing out programs helps SOM run better – if you have too
many programs open, your browser could get overloaded and
crash and you could lose the recording
 Security reasons – you wouldn't want to inadvertently record
sensitive information (your emails, student information /
grades in Bb)
Making a video using SOM
 Step 2: Setting up an account (OPTIONAL)

Recommendation: Setting up an account
 Creates a library of the videos you create
 Produce to SOM’s servers.
Making a video using SOM
 Step 3: Write the Script
Before you record, it’s recommended that you create a script that
describes what action will take place on the computer screen, and what
narration will accompany these on-screen movements. (In this example, a
script is provided.)
 Important Tip:
Read the sample script and practice doing each of the on-screen
movements before you record.

Making a video using SOM
 Step 4: Practice Recording and Using SOM’s features
 Set up the capture box (entire screen vs. just the desktop vs. a
specific area)
 Practice starting and stopping a recording
 Mouse effects while recording
 Editing: PAUSE and then preview the recording. Now you
can move the timeline back to a specific point and record
over from that point.
Making a video using SOM
 Step 5: Review the 1st recording
 Watch the entire video from start to finish
 What did you like about it?
 What do you think could have done better?
 Rerecord another version of the same video. Can you make the
video shorter, or sound more natural?
Making a video using SOM
 Step 6: Finish and Produce
 Pick which of your recordings you liked the post. It’s time to
produce it!
 Don't close the window while it's rendering!!
 Production options:
 Export the file to a .mov file on your desktop
 Store on SOM server
 Store on your YouTube account
Best Practices
 Length: Short and Sweet
 Lecture captures: 10 – 15 minutes (break up content into
chunks)
 Tutorial video: 8-10 minutes
 Promo/advertisement: 1 – 4 minutes
 Use spoken language. Keep it simple! – fancy vocabulary
tends makes your video harder to understanding easily
 Try to follow the script, but don't sweat if you find
yourself spontaneously adding in a few remarks.
 Practice! Practice! Practice! It takes time to perfect the
art of narrating your mouse movements.
Recommended Headset
 A headset with a microphone will be needed to narrate you
screencasts from your own computer.
 Some computers have built in microphones which will also
work, but these devices will not produce as high quality sound
(they often have echoes and feedback)
 We suggest the Logitech ClearChat Comfort USB headset,
which costs $26.80. Click here for more details.
 If you would like to practice or record a few
screencasts on campus, you may contact
edtech@wilmu.edu to schedule a time to use
our training lab and borrow a headset.