Creating tutorials for a library module in a new online education course (very exciting) last month, I noticed Screencast-O-Matic is now downloadable for Windows PCs! The Screencast-O-Matic download page provides general information, with accompanying screencast. The screencast, embedded below, details pro account login. Keep in mind, a pro account is not required to download and use the free version with the same usage stipulations as the online free version (length, editing, and watermark).
I downloaded Screencast-O-Matic to my work (Windows 7) and home (XP and Vista) computers. After successful installation, it is quick and simple, pin it to your start menu or create a shortcut on the desktop. Here's what I discovered:
Each time it's accessed, you are prompted to Enable Pro Features. Upgrade options detailed in the video are not part of the free download.
It is possible to continue using use the free version.
It tooks seconds to open the recording pane/screen, there was little time needed for the java to load.
Functions available are the same as the web version; record, adjust the microphone (or mute), select screen size, enable web cam, and close.
Finished screencasts may be uploaded to Screencast-O-Matic, published to existing YouTube accounts, or saved MP4 to your system.
Overall, it's the same great free product on my desktop that it is on the Screencast-O-Matic web site. I'm experiencing a bit of a conundrum; the beauty of using Screencast-O-Matic is I do not have to download anything to my computer to create screencasts. However, now I have viable options online and on my computer.
At the conclusion of this term, students creating their electronic portfolios were greeted with an unpleasant surprise when their Pageflakes portals were unavailable. The site suffered a number of significant outages between mid-October and the end of November and even this evening, is not available to users. I have been researching any number or web sites that could provide the same LibGuide-like results for students to use; the assignment is a great ice-breaker, students use a 2.0 technology and put the first building block in place with ease. I may have found a perfect companion to Netvibes, replacing Pageflakes, with Protopage.
A 2.0 start page, similar in nature to Netvibes, iGoogle, and Pageflakes (without the previously mentioned spotty usage reports) it provides users with opportunity to personalize their web experience.
"Protopage leverages Web 2.0 methodologies to create a very smooth drag-and-drop interface that acts more like your desktop than a browser home page, and not only does it have just about everything you will want in a start page, but it does almost everything well." -- The Scoop on Protopage, Daniel Nations, About.com Web Trends
I registered for a free account and quickly created a usable page. Not as flashy as Netvibes, it does provide easy options for text with wysiwyg editors and 'sticky notes,' video with html options in the text editor and widget boxes for video, and several different options to create bookmark lists and news feeds.
Next I plan to move forward with incorporating Google Docs Forms in the classroom. I used Google Forms to develop surveys for student input on LibGuides created for two courses (take a sneak peek at one embedded in a LibGuide) and would like to add forms as an addendum of sorts to the Google Spreadsheet assignment.
I'm lucky enough to have Camtasia Studio on my work computer; as such, it's easy to get spoiled having immediate access to software for creating video tutorials. To create screen capture projects on my home computer, I've been exploring free options, specifically one that I would not have to download. I found Screenjelly, Screenr, Jing, HyperCam, and most recently Screencast-O-Matic. This summer, students in my technology class were very interested in using Jing and several wrote interesting reviews on the product. On the verge of downloading, I decided instead to try Screencast-O-Matic.
"Screencast-O-Matic is the original online screen recorder for creating screen capture video recordings (aka screen casts) with free hosting all from your browser with no install!" -- Welcome page (8/24/10)
Several reviews noted five minute videos were free, but the web site FAQs state fifteen minute videos (subsequently hosted on YouTube) are free. It is necessary to have java installed with your browser to access the product, but it does not seem to differentiate when using updated versions of either Firefox or IE8; I have used both browsers to create screen casts without issue. I was happy to learn it is possible to export completed projects directly to YouTube as an HD movie, as an MP4 file, or an AVI file for Movie Maker.
The product is easy to use and intuitive; it
provides opportunity to select video size from a list or adjust the screen to suit your needs
includes a pause button (or alt+p) during capture
starts each capture, both fresh video and after pausing, with 3,2,1, go!
has an option to reset the video and start again
After making screen casts on my work computer and on my personal computer, I noticed choice of microphone makes a significant difference, my $3 work microphone audio narration sounds a bit "tinny," however my $9 home microphone provides adequate results. There are interesting visuals included on the screen cast, it highlights mouse movement with halos and short bursts as the video producer moves through the story. I did not notice these features when creating the video, but when processing the finished product there is opportunity to opt out of any and all of the colored (yellow and blue) highlights.
Since I opted to use the free version, there is a Screencast-O-Matic watermark on the bottom, left corner of the video. It is less obvious than the Animoto markings and I found it easily ignored. If you do not want or like the watermark, pro accounts are reasonably priced ($9 per year) and provide editing tools and options of one hour video lengths.
Below are two videos recently created with Screencast-O-Matic. I elected to keep the mouse highlights on both videos; each was exported to my YouTube account, saved as MP4 files, and later embedded in separate project. This is a great product to create free screen cast videos, especially when taking into consideration it is not necessary to download prior to use.
