Effective/Cost-effective Screencasting Tatiana Simmonds Darrenlloyd Gent, Ray Stoneham

What is screencasting? Not video; just screen and voice –Reduces demand for technical support –Easier to edit, with smaller file sizes –Video can be distracting to viewers –No need to comb your hair! Can be whole lecture, or snippets Can be done live, or pre-recorded

What is Effective Screencasting? Flipped classroom "How to …" guides Recording of lectures or seminars Recording of student presentations

Example 1 - Snippets To show "How to …" Each about 5 minutes in length Specific to the setup of software in Greenwich To support the syllabus Can be watched "in slow motion"

Example 2 – Pre-recorded lectures Requires extra time for: –recording the videos –creating quizzes and other interactive exercises for the classroom lecture/seminar Benefits –controlled recording environment –students can (and are encouraged to) watch the video before the actual lecture/seminar and get prepared

Example 3 – Recording live lectures Requires planning Tell students –when the recording is about to start –that if they ask a question or make a comment during the lecture, and do not want it to be part of the published recording, then they must tell you at the end of the lecture –when the recording is finished

Problems with live screencasting Things can go wrong –Check software is available –Check battery life of microphone –Check sound level –Remember to start the recording! –Remember to stop the recording! Need to repeat questions from the audience Sometimes editing is required

The legal bit

Do MSc students like screencasts? ".. they prepared me for the class ahead and therefore made the class less strange and more interactive." "It was a refreshing change from traditional teaching methods mainly because it helped me get more involved with the subject of the course. It gave me more time to deepen my knowledge of the subject rather than spending unnecessary time on basics." “I watched the videos most of the times before class and in some cases I re-watched them while I worked on the coursework.”

Do Undergraduates like screencasts? "Good to go and watch the video before the start of the lecture because it helps to understand it more." "I found the video lectures which were released before each lecture to be extremely useful. Watching the video and taking notes prior to the lecture meant that I was able to prepare questions to ask during the lecture so that I can clarify my understanding."

What is Cost-Effective Screencasting? Minimal hardware costs –Microphone is main cost for live recording Minimal software costs –Free or cheap software –ExpressionWeb is available in University Minimal support costs –No editing required (if possible) –Publishing needs to be automated

Is it worth it? Students say "yes" Lecturers say "maybe"