Screencasting has many potential applications for emergency response educators and training officers to discuss new or updated protocols, proper use of scheduling and ePCR software, or how to interact with other web-based content. Since most free screencasting tools, Screenr, limit the length of a screencast recording follow these tips for creating screencasts that are effective.
1. Cover one thing per screencast. Don’t attempt to teach analysis of all cardiac arrhythmias in one screencast. Instead discuss one arrhythmia per screencast. Do the same for any type of software use or protocol discussion.
2. Practice screen actions before recording. Open the application windows and browser tabs needed for the screencast. Practice moving between applications in the sequence you will in the screencast.
3. Eliminate the clutter. Close unneeded applications and browser tabs before starting. Resize the screen capture area to the most essential aspects. Avoid having large areas of white space in the capture area.
4. Outline or script the audio. I prefer to outline the narrative I will speak as I record my onscreen actions instead of writing a script. I think an outline gives me a more relaxed and natural tone. A script might be best if you need to follow an exact list of steps or criteria.
5. Start recording with the best image. A thumbnail image of the screencast will often display the first image frame in the video. Start recording on the final product of an instructional screencast or some other descriptive visual that will entice viewers to select and view the screencast.
6. Edit as you record. If the screen capture tool allows you to pause as you record you can edit as you go. This might mean switching between applications or pausing the recording as you enter your username and password so that is not shown to the audience.
7. Determine audience for screencast. Many screencasts allow distribution through blogs and other social media channels. You even have the option to allow others to link to the screencast or embed the screencast in their own blog or website. Before publishing the final screencast make sure you have selected the appropriate distribution properties.
8. Review your work. Make sure you covered all the things you needed to cover. Also look to make sure the capture area does not include things you don’t want the world to see like your username, passwords, browser tabs open or software that is running.
9. Publish and share. The breadth and distribution of your screencast depends on your goal, topic, and intended audience. Social media tools, like Twitter, Facebook, and Video allow wide distribution of screencasts. Many screencast product websites and video sharing sites allow and encourage visitors to embed screencasts in their own blogs and websites.
10. Make screencasts. Since it is free to make practice making several screencasts. Just pick a simple topic and give it a try. Use the easy to use Screenr tool to get started.
View, share, and copy my screencasts at Screenr and videos at YouTube. Share your screencasting tips, suggest a screencast, or ask questions in the comments area.
Screencast description of ebook, The 4 Most Important People for your Professional Network.
