screencasting: creating online tutorials

Screencasting:Creating Online Tutorials

Alison Aldrich, Technology Outreach CoordinatorNational Network of Libraries of Medicine

Pacific Northwest Region

Screen·cast /skrēn kast/ nA recording of actions performed on a computer

screen for purposes of demonstrating a computer-based task or set of tasks to others.

Agenda

• Introductions• Just-in-Time Screencasts• Demo & Practice

• Made-to-Last Screencasts• Best Practices• Software Selection• Demo & Practice

Just-in-Time Screencasts are great for…

• Responding to search help questions• Documenting a problem for tech support• Communicating with distributed team

members

Here’s What You Need

Microphone Options

Built-in audio

Headset(Plantronics, $25)

Standalone USB Mic(Blue Microphones Snowball, $81)

Software for Just-in-Time Screencasts

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Software for Just-in-Time Screencasts

• Is there something to install?• Does it let you download your files?• What’s the time limit?• Will it record from a webcam?• Any editing options?• Is it social?

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Jinghttp://www.jingproject.com

• Free screen capture software from TechSmith

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Jinghttp://www.jingproject.com

• Free screen capture software from TechSmith

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Jing for Screenshots

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Jing for Video

• Select an area of the screen to capture• Ctrl+drag to snap to standard dimensions• Don’t forget the scroll bar

• Choose Video Capture• Select a microphone• The countdown begins!

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Jing video editing (you can’t)

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Jing sharing options

• Screencast.com provides free hosting and embed code• Save .swf to your computer

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<object id="scPlayer" width="1308" height="1016" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://content.screencast.com/users/aldricham/folders/Jing/media/4900f26d-c045-4bed-95ae-5f66b9fa049d/jingswfplayer.swf" > <param name="movie" value="http://content.screencast.com/users/aldricham/folders/Jing/media/4900f26d-c045-4bed-95ae-5f66b9fa049d/jingswfplayer.swf" /> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /> <param name="flashVars" value="thumb=http://content.screencast.com/users/aldricham/folders/Jing/media/4900f26d-c045-4bed-95ae-5f66b9fa049d/FirstFrame.jpg&containerwidth=1308&containerheight=1016&loaderstyle=jing&content=http://content.screencast.com/users/aldricham/folders/Jing/media/4900f26d-c045-4bed-95ae-5f66b9fa049d/2009-06-26_1636.swf&blurover=false" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="scale" value="showall" /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /> <param name="base" value="http://content.screencast.com/users/aldricham/folders/Jing/media/4900f26d-c045-4bed-95ae-5f66b9fa049d/" /> Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required. </object>

Jing Pro upgrade

• $14.95/year• Removes branding• Automatic upload to YouTube and Facebook• Records from webcam• MPEG-4 file format

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Jing

• Is there something to install? Yes• Does it let you download your files? Yes• What’s the time limit? 5 minutes• Will it record from a webcam? Pro version• Any editing options? No• Is it social? Not optimally so, but yes

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Jing Demo:Funding Opportunities from NN/LM PNR

Other Free Options

• http://www.screenjelly.com/

Is there something to install? NoDoes it let you download your files? NoWhat’s the time limit? 3 minutesWill it record from a webcam? NoAny editing options? NoIs it social? Yes

Other Free Options

• http://www.screenr.com

Is there something to install? NoDoes it let you download your files? Yes, after publishingWhat’s the time limit? 5 minutesWill it record from a webcam? NoAny editing options? NoIs it social? Very

Other Free Options

• http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/

Is there something to install? NoDoes it let you download your files? YesWhat’s the time limit? 15 minutes (60 minutes w/ Pro)Will it record from a webcam? YesAny editing options? Some w/ ProIs it social? Publishes to YouTube

Just-in-Time Screencast Tips

• Embrace imperfection.• Pretend you’re leaving a voice mail message.• Keep it brief.• S-l-o-w down your mouse.• End with a referral back to the library.• Know that your screencast might be shared.

Your turn!Practice with Jing

• Refer to the handout “Checklist for Activity 1”

Photo by theritters on Flickr, Creative Commons License, http://bit.ly/fEuXfU

Screencast Slam!

Photo by Soon. on Flickr, Creative Commons License. http://bit.ly/3bDxqq

Contestants

1. New Medical Library Homepage: A Guided Tour Lei Wang, Yale Medical Library. Created with Camtasia.

2. Gale Nursing ReferenceCounty College of Morris Library. Created with Screencast-o-Matic.

3. GMR Lending LibraryMax Anderson, NN/LM GMR. Created with Jing.

4. Searching with the MeSH DatabaseNational Library of Medicine. Created with Qarbon Viewlet Builder.

5. Controlled Vocabulary: What Is It?Beth Whipple, Indiana University. Created with Screenjelly.

New Medical Library Homepage: A Guided Tour Lei Wang, Yale Medical Library. Created with Camtasia.

Liked Didn’t Like

Gale Nursing ReferenceCounty College of Morris Library. Created with Screencast-o-Matic.

Liked Didn’t Like

GMR Lending LibraryMax Anderson, NN/LM GMR. Created with Jing.

Liked Didn’t Like

Searching with the MeSH DatabaseNational Library of Medicine. Created with Qarbon Viewlet Builder.

Liked Didn’t Like

Controlled Vocabulary: What Is It?Beth Whipple, Indiana University. Created with Screenjelly.

Liked Didn’t Like

Best Practices for Creating an Online Tutorial: A Literature Review

(Blummer & Kritskaya, 2009)

1. Identify objectives and requirements2. Use standards or competencies3. Collaborate4. Increase User Engagement5. Evaluate

Blummer, BA & Kritskaya, O (2009). Best practices for creating an online tutorial: a literature review. Journal of Web Librarianship 3(3), 199-216.

Guidelines for Effective Online Instruction Using Multimedia Screencasts

(Oud, 2009)

• Minimize cognitive load• Promote critical thinking• Know your students

Oud, J (2009). Guidelines for effective online instruction using multimedia screencasts. Reference Services Review 37(2), 164-177.

Storyboarding

Ready to Upgrade?

• Can edit files created in Jing• Callouts, zoom-n-pan, etc.• Plug-in for PowerPoint• Multiple production settings

$299

Camtasia Practice

• Déjà vu… Open screencasting.practice.pptx and follow instructions for Activity #2

That’s a Wrap!

• Slides available at Slideshare:http://www.slideshare.net/aldricham

• Additional resources on the Moodle page:http://nnlm.gov/moodle/course/view.php?id=53

Alison Aldrich, NN/LM PNRaldrich3@uw.edu

206-221-3489