Screencastify: Merging Screencasting with Google Drive

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Screencastify is a web extension that allows users to create screencasts with their computer, and the software automatically saves the finished video to the user’s Google Drive. After adding the web extension to their Google Chrome browser, users can click the extension’s icon in the upper right side of the screen.

Once the icon is clicked, users can adjust the settings and click the “Record Desktop” to begin. At this point, users have the option to record their entire screen or just the application window. After making that choice, users must click the “Share” option, listen for the countdown, and then Screencastify is recording their screen.

When finished recording, users can click the extension’s icon again and choose the “End Recording” option. At this point, Screencastify will automatically save it to the user’s Google Drive folder. (The extension creates a “Screencastify” folder in Google Drive, which can be accessed under the “My Drive” folder.) Once saved, users can click the icons on the top of the screen to download their video, share it via Google Drive or post it to YouTube, crop and trim the video, or delete it.

Please Note: Users are only able to crop and trim their video by subscribing to this extension. If users wish to crop their screencasts for free, they will need to import them into another Google App, such as WeVideo.

Instructional Ideas for Screencastify

1. When explaining the procedures to students for completing a digital task, teachers can create a screencast modeling the procedures using Screencastify and then posting it a link to it on a class website. Students can then click the link to view the screencast.
2. As part of a presentation, students can create a screencast of their presentation and then post it to a class website or collaborative work space. Students can then view each other’s presentations and comment about what they learned and what questions they still have.
3. As part of a larger project using a video-editing tool, such as WeVideo or Camtasia, students can record a screencast using this tool and then import it into their larger project.
4. When requiring students to create a screencast, teachers can first have them practice with this tool and Screencast-O-Matic and then discuss the functionalities of each. Specifically, teachers can ask students what they like, what they do not like, and strategies for using the screencasting tools. At the end of the conversation, teachers can have students pick one of the tools to use.

Screenshots of Screencastify

Screencastify