Screencast-O-Matic

=Screencast-O-Matic= Screencast-O-Matic is a fabulous webtool which allows you to record what is happening on your computer screen and save it as a file for display. It also records any audio happening at the time of recording, so you can narrate what you are doing on the screen as it is happening. It is a fabulous tool for making instructional videos, especially in a class where students use a lot of new web tools and need to see how to use them.

Resources & Links
Homepage Instructional Video (10 min) Review from "Appappeal" Review from "Reveiwsaurus" Teacher Sample (Math Lesson) Student Sample

SWOT Analysis
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
 * No need to download special software
 * No need to make an account to use (but signing up is optional if you choose)
 * Quick and easy to use
 * Can get started in less than 5 minutes
 * Free membership provides the basic tools you would want in a classroom setting
 * Can pause recording during making of screencast and watch what you have made so far before continuing
 * 15 minute maximum for recording
 * You have to upload the screencast manually before it is available for sharing
 * Can allow visitors to add notes and comments to the screencast so students can edit after it has been created
 * Can put your screencast into "channels" (which are similar to tags) to see other screencasts similar to yours
 * Available to everyone who has the URL (not password protected)

Ideas for the Classroom

 * Teachers can use it to give parents and students simple directions on how to use the class website or wiki
 * Teachers can use it to put lessons online
 * Students can use it to create presentations (Iike the sample above)
 * Students can work on a project together by collectively editing an already made screencast by visiting it and adding notes and comments (visitors can edit if you check the box that allows this)