Screencast-O-Matic

Freemium!

Screencast-O-Matic is a website designed for screencasting. To begin, users must register with the website and then log in. Next, users should click the “Start Recorder” option on the top row, which will launch the screen recorder. At this point, users will see a dotted box appear on their screen along with an option box. (If the options box does not appear, users can access it by clicking the “Gear” icon). With the options, users can decide if they wish to just record their screen, record themselves via their webcam, or record using both their screen and webcam. In addition, users can choose the size of the screen they record and the audio input source. If users click the “Preferences” button, they will access the hotkeys options. Once users have adjusted all the settings to their liking, they can click the “Rec” button to begin their screencast. Once clicked, a countdown will appear and Screencast-O-Matic will begin recording once the countdown ends. (Users can only make recordings up to 15 minutes in the free version.) As it records, users can see the length of their recording, they can freeze the recording momentarily by tapping the “Pause” button, and they can resume it by tapping the “Rec” button again. When the recording is paused, users can also reset the size of it before resuming their recording. To finalize their recording, users must first pause it and then tap the “Done” button. Users are then presented with saving options. The “Save As” option allows users to choose the file type (e.g., MP4, AVI, FLV), the file name, the folder where they wish to save their file, if their cursor is highlighted, and if they wish to add captions to it. (For more information about adding captions, users should choose the “Captions” option and then select the “See example text file” option to learn more). When finished, users can click the “Publish” button to save their recording as they designated. If users wish to save their recording to YouTube or the Screencast-O-Matic cloud, they can do so by choosing one of those options after finishing their recording.

Please Note: The options in this description are available to users for free. However, if users wish to access more advanced functionalities for editing and recording longer screencasts, they will need to subscribe.

Classroom Applications

1. To add an independent learning opportunity to an assignment, teachers can record the procedures for completing the opportunity using this website and then upload it to a class website, where students can access it.
2. Teachers can create a lecture-based homework assignment using this website. To do so, teachers can create a screencast of a lesson. Next, they can import that lecture into edPuzzle and create an edPuzzle video about it. Teachers can then assign students the video to view and complete in edPuzzle.
3. To narrate presentations, teachers can create a presentation using PowerPoint, Prezi, or another presentation software. They can then use Screencast-O-Matic to capture themselves narrating the presentation. Teachers can then store these screencasts and, over time, they can build a library. These screencasts will eventually become foundational for creating a flipped instructional unit.
4. Teachers can have students create screencasts with this website to explain a topic, such as a word’s meaning, the legacy of a historical event or person, or do a think-aloud while solving a math problem. Once finished, students can save their recording and then upload it to a class website.

Screenshots