Two Suggested Screencasting Tools for Communicating Information
May is a busy month. In lieu of my normal weekly newsletters for staff, I have elected to use a few screencasting applications to communicate information. Screencasts are brief video recordings that are uploaded to an online site such as YouTube or Vimeo. Smart educators I am connected with shared these web tools with me.
I use the iPad app. First, I set the tablet up in front of me and start a project. Next, I select images, quotes, and social media feeds through the vApps function. The content I plan on displaying during the recording are sitting on the bottom of the dock. Finally, I press record and away we go. I'll bring up the media sitting in the dock, which will appear alongside me. I usually have a list of topics to discuss on a piece of paper, but only as a reference point. It is very boring to watch and listen to someone read text verbatim.
This is a screenshot of what I recorded today. Especially at this time of year, some of my staff are appreciative of watching a short video of information, instead of a newsletter to read. I will send out the video to staff via email along with the links and resources I reference in the Touchcast. I don't use this tool nearly to its potential. Connect with Curt Rees or Peter Dewitt for expert advice. There are interactive features and green screen capabilities that make Touchcast a powerful tool for communication.
The benefits of this screencasting tool is ease of use. While Touchcast has many bells and whistles, Movenote is pretty straightforward. Add some images to a slideshow, and press record. You move the slides as you speak.
Screen shot of me preparing slides for presentation.
While it is quick and easy to use, Movenote does not seem to be as well received as Touchcast. I find myself speaking longer in these productions, and 4-5 minutes should be the limit for any kind of screencast (attention spans tend to wander after that). Still, Movenote is a nice web tool when you need to convey some information in a pinch.
Do you use either one of these tools or both? If so, which one do you find working better for you over the other? Is there another screencasting tool that you prefer instead Touchcast or Movenote? Please share in the comments.