If you haven’t done so already, it is time you check out Screencast-O-Matic. As a free and easy-to-use video recording tool, it’s a great way to spice up the class for students. Faculty can gain valuable class time by making short instructional videos to use in and out of the classroom. Have your students video record their thoughts and ideas for discussion board participation. Record your feedback to students to build relationships and connect with your students. Capture your lecture on difficult topics for review by students later. Adding classroom enhancements or providing engagement opportunities using free technology is a win for both the students and faculty.
While a great instrument to improve face-to-face lectures, Screencast-O-Matic can be creatively added to online course lessons. This software allows for greater instructor engagement in online courses and provides more authentic connections. Placing a face and a voice to the instructor is a much sought-after feature in an online classroom. These connections are typically lacking in the online learning setting, but by recording the instructor, the instructor’s screen, or both concurrently, the software simulates a more personal relationship.
Furthermore, Screencast-O-Matic can integrate into learning management services like Blackboard, Moodle, Canvas, and Google Classroom. Other integrations include the Google G Suite (Drive, Docs, Slides, etc.), Microsoft PowerPoint, and social media platforms. This makes it easy for teachers to incorporate these videos into lessons, regardless of the designated platform.
Some of the free features available in Screencast-O-Matic are:
- Record up to 15 minutes of video
- Trim the start and end of the video
- Ability to pause recording in order to move the recording frame or to enable/disable the webcam before recording again
- Add closed captions
- Download video to computer or upload to YouTube
Screencast-O-Matic has everything teachers and students need to create videos. Empower learning by downloading Screencast-O-Matic here. Also available is a paid version that adds additional features such as unlimited recording time, the ability to add animations, text, shapes, and more through the built-in video editing mode.
See a quick video on Screencast-O-Matic’s free features below:
Author: Quinn Johnson, IT Tech Assistant
References:
Screencast-O-Matic. “Education: Screen Recorder & Video Editor: Screencast-O-Matic.” Screencast-
O-Matic, Screencast-O-Matic, 24 July 2019, https://screencast-o-matic.com/education.