Need to teach patrons or colleagues about an online resource? Try making your own movie about it. Movies created by capturing moving images on a computer screen are called screencasts. Learning the basics of making a screencast will let you make movies that you can post online, or email to patrons or colleagues.
Software
The Auraria Library's tutorials are made using software programs called Captivate and Camtasia, which the library has purchased. Free trial copies are available; if you're interested, please write a Bugzilla ticket to request one. There are also several free pieces of software available online, such as Jing. Jing makes high-quality movies that can be posted to Jing's web space. This may be the best option if you want to see if you're interested in screencasting.
Making a Practice Screencast
The easiest way to learn how to make a screencast is just to get started and experiment. Here's how:
1. Get your software set up. If you're using Captivate or Camtasia, have it installed on your computer. If you're using Jing, download the free version. If you are in the Library this may require a systems administrator permission; please create a Bugzilla ticket.
2. Choose a topic for your tutorial. Need ideas? Think of something you demonstrate to people often -- maybe a particular database, or a function in Microsoft Outlook.
3. Turn on your software and watch a few introductory tutorials. These are very helpful. Just learn the very basics.
4. Now it's time to get started. Film your tutorial. Save it. Watch it, and try to catch a few things that look wrong to you.
5. Now use the editing features to fix the things that didn't look right to you. You can also add captions, arrows, and highlighting to emphasize your meaning. Don't worry about perfection! You're just learning.
6. Go through the process of watching and making corrections several times.
7. When you feel you're ready, share your video with someone. You can post it online or send it as an email attachment.
8. If you decide to share your video with the public, make sure you allow for Section 508 accessibility (see below).
Editing Features to Use
All screencasting software offers a number of editing features. You can make a great screencast using just a few. Here are some of the most useful:
-highlighting, arrows, and text captions
-slowing down or speeding up
-mouse and cursor images
Accessibility
It's important to make sure that students with visual or hearing disabilities (as well as ESL students) can use your tutorials.
If you decide to use audio in your screencast, you can use closed captioning features (in Camtasia and Captivate) to make a text version of the instructions appear on the screen. Alternatively, you can simply type up a detailed version of the instructions and post them online along with the video. The very easiest method, though, is simply to avoid using audio.
Adapting for visually impaired students involves the same steps. If you're using Captivate or Camtasia, search the Help section for information on Section 508 accessibility. It will show you the features. You can also type up a detailed version of the instructions and place them on a Web page with the tutorial. Either of these methods will help the page work with screen readers.
For More Information:
Here are a couple of sites with more detailed guidelines:
-Screencasting: How to Start, Tools and Guidelines, from Smashing Magazine
-Screencasting Using Camtasia, a video on YouTube
-Screencasting, from November Learning
Check out the Auraria Library's screencasts. We can add yours to the list when you feel it's ready!
Your Assignment
Make a screencast. Share it with your AurThings Team members either by posting it online or by emailing it as a file. Remember to blog about your experience.
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