Screen Capture Software

What is the tool?

Screen Capture Software (SCS) is a tool that can record your computers screen output into a video format and it can add an audio file to the recording. The video file can be save in many formats such as mp4, MOV and Flash. So, you can capture video and audio of you working through a powerpoint presentation which can then be used by the student as a resource to help learn the content.

How can this tool be used?

SCS can be used by teachers and students alike. Teachers can use SCS to create videocasts, which are podcats with a video component, to be used by the student as a supplemental resource. After the teacher creates this resource he/she can make it available to the student on the class website, wikipage or as a file. The student can then watch the resource at his/her convenience. The student can use this resource to help learn the content. This can also be useful for students who were absent when the content was originally presented. The student can also create his/her own videocasts as a class assignment.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this tool?

Advantages
· SCS can be free!
· Allows students to "catch up" on missed content
· Allows for presentation of content in a more diverse formats
· Allows teachers to reach students with varied learning strategies

Disadvantages
· CSC can be very expensive
· Not all students have computers and/or internet access

Where can we learn more about this tool?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screencast (about)
http://camstudio.org/ (Free)
http://tryit.adobe.com/us/captivate5/?sdid=EMZRX ( expensive )

What is your opinion of the usefulness of this tool?
I believe that this tool can be a very useful resource because it allows the teacher to present the content in a nontraditional way that the student can use where, when and how they they feel comfortable.