RecordCast

Free

RecordCast provides users with a tool for recording and editing videos, and it does not require any download or subscription. To begin, users will need to launch the RecordCast website, and they choose the “Start Recording” option to create a new video or the “Try Video Editor” if they already have a video and wish to edit it. This review will begin with the “Start Recording” option and then describe how to edit it.

To begin, users should click the “Start Recording” button, and they will then have to choose if they wish to only record their screen, webcam, or use both their screen and webcam. After clicking the option they wish to use, a new screen will open and users can begin their recording. Please note, users may have to give the website permission to access their camera and microphone. To record, users simply have to click the “Start Recording” button, and they will have up to 30 minutes for their recording. When they are finished, users must click the “Stop” button. They can then view their recording. If they wish to use it, users should click the “Download and Edit” button. If they are not satisfied, they can click the “Re-record” button on the top left of the screen and repeat this process. Once satisfied with their recording, users should progress to the edit stage.

In the edit stage, users will see their video in the top right and in the bottom half of the screen. If users click the “Play” button, they can see their video play in the top right and view it on the timeline on the bottom half of their screen. If users wish to upload additional videos, images, or other content into their video, they can click the “Import” button on the top left of the screen and choose the content they wish to add. Once uploaded, the content will then appear in the top left of their screen, and users can drag it onto their timeline in the bottom of the screen. Once in the timeline, they can drag the content to change the order, and users should note that the top of the timeline is for visual elements and the bottom is for audio elements. After all their content is added into the timeline and ordered, users can begin editing it.

To edit it, users can click the “Split” button to trim the beginning or ending of a piece of content as well as cutting a piece of content in pieces, which is useful for removing parts that are in the middle of the content. Users can click a piece of content and then the “Copy” button followed by the “Paste” button in order to duplicate that piece of content in their timeline. Users can click the “Text” button to add letters and characters to their video. Once clicked, users will have to choose the style of text and then click the red “+” icon in order to add the text. Once they do, they will see that text added to their timeline, and they can click the text box in their video preview to customize the text, including the language, color, font, alignment, and position. The “Background” button allows users to add solid-colored backgrounds to their video, which are ideal for adding text and images to, but backgrounds are not formatted to be placed behind videos. To add some pizzazz to the videos, users should select the “Overlay” button, which adds a more interactive element to their videos. Users can also customize the overlays.

Once all the edits are finished, users can click the “Export” button on the top of the screen and choose the video quality for their work. Once selected, RecordCast will then export their work into a video file that they can download.

Instructional Ideas for RecordCast

1. After completing a project of some kind, teachers can have students create a video to share their work, instead of writing a more traditional report or document.
2. Teachers can have students use this tool to make and record presentations. For example, teachers can have students create a presentation using a tool like Emaze, Prezi, or another piece of edtech for presentations. Students can then create their presentation and record themselves giving it using this tool. Students can then upload the video of their presentation to a class website, so their classmates and teachers can view and respond to it.
3. When developing a new skill, teachers can have students record themselves doing the new skill, such as solving a math problem, annotating a document, or using a software program or digital tool. Students can then narrate the video in a way that explains each step of the procedure. Finally, students can upload their video to a class website, so their classmates who are developing the same skill can view the video for support.

Screenshots of RecordCast

Ratings of RecordCast

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