<\/a>What is a Screencast?<\/h2>\nA screencast is a video recording that captures the actions that take place on a screen. You can also often hear people calling it a screen capture video or a screen recording. A screencast can contain various objects like text, images, audio, and even mouse movements.<\/p>\n
<\/a>How Are Screencasts Used?<\/h2>\nAs you can see, a screencast is a type of video tutorial<\/a>\u00a0that is most often created to demonstrate a process that\u2019s shown on the screen.<\/p>\nScreen recording software now enable screencasting on any type of device, even on smartphones. For example, there are plenty of screen recording and screen mirroring apps for iOS and Android that help bloggers make screencast videos on the go. However, when we think of screencasts, it\u2019s probably education that first comes to mind.<\/p>\n
So, use cases for screencasts include:<\/p>\n
\n- Training for non-techies<\/strong>. With screencasts, you can show your learners how to use specific features of Microsoft Excel or other tools. Compared to unclear written explanations, screencasts make more sense.<\/li>\n
- Classroom work<\/strong>. Screencasting helps teachers save more time when introducing a topic in the classroom and invest more time in practice, communication, and discussions. A teacher can record their screen while explaining how to solve math equations and share the video with students so they can watch it before coming to class.<\/li>\n
- Software demos and tutorials<\/strong>. Businesses that produce or sell software, or offer a web service can benefit greatly from making video tutorials on how to use their tools. This is another instance where screencasts can come into play.<\/li>\n
- Visual explanation<\/strong>. Skillful photoshoppers, advanced users of Microsoft Excel, and other software experts use screencasts to share their knowledge with the world.<\/li>\n
- Gameplay streaming<\/strong>. For gamers, a screencast is a way to share their gameplay with the world, as well as get feedback on their skills and teach their peers how to improve their performance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/a>How to Make a Screencast<\/h2>\nWhether you\u2019re making a screencast for personal use, a classroom, an online course, or a YouTube video, here\u2019s how you to do it in six easy steps.<\/p>\n
Step 1. Make a plan and write a script<\/h3>\n
You have only 10 seconds<\/a> to capture and engage an audience and thus set your screencast up for success. From the very beginning of the video, they should understand that this screencast is what they need now. To captivate your viewers right away, plan your video. This is, in fact, a structure for a future tutorial: where to start, what to show in the middle, and how to end. Then prepare a script.<\/p>\n![\"Creating](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2021\/05\/ispring-blog-image-1620134426.png\" "\\"Writing")
<\/div>\nDon\u2019t skip this step before you start recording, as the script will help you:<\/p>\n
\n- Make your screencast more concise.<\/strong> Individuals who record a video with only bullet points usually add unnecessary information. With a script, you\u2019ll stay on message.<\/li>\n
- Think about some talking points and tips<\/strong> that will make the lesson more useful. One approach is action mapping. Think about it from the perspective of what knowledge needs to be transferred, or perhaps even what issues need to be solved, then define the actions that need to be taken to do that.<\/li>\n
- Figure out what you should show<\/strong>. You have to decide if you want to describe everything that is happening on the screen or if you\u2019re okay with the visuals supporting the script. Using a voiceover (VO) makes it significantly more engaging and effective, with text or graphics to highlight key points and ideas.<\/li>\n
- Avoid unnecessary pauses while recording.<\/strong> Remember that script? If you\u2019re \u201cumm\u201ding and \u201cahh\u201ding, you should go back and write it!<\/li>\n
- Reduce the time for video editing.<\/strong> You don\u2019t need to cut out unnecessary phrases and merge different parts of the audio track.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Too much to read? Get a summary from AI<\/h3>\nChatGPT<\/a> Claude<\/a> Perplexity<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\nWriting a script is actually quite easy. In an instructional video, the first few moments should draw the viewer in and give them reasons to watch what you have to present. You\u2019ve got to make your screencast the center of attention and keep learners focused.<\/p>\n
\nDon\u2019t use the first five seconds of your video to tell people your company name; use them to share why they should keep watching. This can be done with a dialog or graphics<\/em>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/02\/ispring-blog-image-1550484557.png\" "\\"\\"")
\n\nYou can start with a statement about the goal and provide a plan of your tutorial so a viewer can see what to expect right away. For example:<\/p>\n
![\"Screenshot](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2021\/05\/ispring-blog-image-1620134538.png\" "\\"Screenshot")
<\/div>\nIn the middle of the screencast, you need to describe the topic in as much detail as needed. This will help you to transfer the knowledge really required and provide your viewers with solutions they expect.\u00a0 Keep it lean (lean is interesting). At the end, you can give a summary and go through the key points once again if your video is long. If it is short and focused on one topic, repetition may not add value. You may also want to give the viewer an action they can perform. This also helps to further anchor the learning.<\/p>\n
For example, if your video is about creating a new PowerPoint template, rather than recapping the steps, invite viewers to actually do it. If you\u2019re worried about the viewer remembering the steps, it\u2019s probably better to provide a handout that\u2019s easy to open in another window, download, or print. It can be a job aid, a list of frequently asked questions, or a compilation of related articles sent in your newsletter. At the very end, give a preview of the next lesson.<\/p>\n
Write the script in a conversational tone, without complex phrases or a lot of acronyms and jargon.<\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s okay to use contractions, even slang. Keep your audience in mind \u2014 using more informal language will make your video easier to understand and, hopefully, put your viewers at ease with the presenter.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/02\/ispring-blog-image-1550660259.png\" "\\"\\"")
\n\nTo make sure the text works, read it aloud. This will help you notice complex phrases or awkward transitions. Are there places in the script that don\u2019t sound natural? If so, make the necessary touch-ups.<\/p>\n
\n
As you can see, a screencast is a type of video tutorial<\/a>\u00a0that is most often created to demonstrate a process that\u2019s shown on the screen.<\/p>\n Screen recording software now enable screencasting on any type of device, even on smartphones. For example, there are plenty of screen recording and screen mirroring apps for iOS and Android that help bloggers make screencast videos on the go. However, when we think of screencasts, it\u2019s probably education that first comes to mind.<\/p>\n So, use cases for screencasts include:<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re making a screencast for personal use, a classroom, an online course, or a YouTube video, here\u2019s how you to do it in six easy steps.<\/p>\n You have only 10 seconds<\/a> to capture and engage an audience and thus set your screencast up for success. From the very beginning of the video, they should understand that this screencast is what they need now. To captivate your viewers right away, plan your video. This is, in fact, a structure for a future tutorial: where to start, what to show in the middle, and how to end. Then prepare a script.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t skip this step before you start recording, as the script will help you:<\/p>\n Writing a script is actually quite easy. In an instructional video, the first few moments should draw the viewer in and give them reasons to watch what you have to present. You\u2019ve got to make your screencast the center of attention and keep learners focused.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t use the first five seconds of your video to tell people your company name; use them to share why they should keep watching. This can be done with a dialog or graphics<\/em>.<\/p>\n You can start with a statement about the goal and provide a plan of your tutorial so a viewer can see what to expect right away. For example:<\/p>\n In the middle of the screencast, you need to describe the topic in as much detail as needed. This will help you to transfer the knowledge really required and provide your viewers with solutions they expect.\u00a0 Keep it lean (lean is interesting). At the end, you can give a summary and go through the key points once again if your video is long. If it is short and focused on one topic, repetition may not add value. You may also want to give the viewer an action they can perform. This also helps to further anchor the learning.<\/p>\n For example, if your video is about creating a new PowerPoint template, rather than recapping the steps, invite viewers to actually do it. If you\u2019re worried about the viewer remembering the steps, it\u2019s probably better to provide a handout that\u2019s easy to open in another window, download, or print. It can be a job aid, a list of frequently asked questions, or a compilation of related articles sent in your newsletter. At the very end, give a preview of the next lesson.<\/p>\n Write the script in a conversational tone, without complex phrases or a lot of acronyms and jargon.<\/p>\n It\u2019s okay to use contractions, even slang. Keep your audience in mind \u2014 using more informal language will make your video easier to understand and, hopefully, put your viewers at ease with the presenter.<\/em><\/p>\n To make sure the text works, read it aloud. This will help you notice complex phrases or awkward transitions. Are there places in the script that don\u2019t sound natural? If so, make the necessary touch-ups.<\/p>\n\n
<\/a>How to Make a Screencast<\/h2>\n
Step 1. Make a plan and write a script<\/h3>\n
<\/div>\n\n
Too much to read? Get a summary from AI<\/h3>\n
\n<\/div>\n\n
![\"check](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/02\/ispring-blog-image-1550572900.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/02\/ispring-blog-image-1550575417.png\")
<\/td>\n![\"\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/02\/ispring-blog-image-1550575425.png\")
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<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n![\"\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/02\/ispring-blog-image-1550576176.png\")
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<\/td>\n![\"\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/02\/ispring-blog-image-1550576191.png\")
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n![\"\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/02\/ispring-blog-image-1550578908.png\" "\\"\\"")
\n![\"\"](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/02\/ispring-blog-image-1550579059.png\" "\\"\\"")
\n![\"Screen](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/02\/ispring-blog-image-1550579185.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n![\"Screen](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/02\/ispring-blog-image-1550579196.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n![\"Screen](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2021\/05\/ispring-blog-image-1620135309.png\" "\\"Screen")
<\/div>\n![\"Screen](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2021\/05\/ispring-blog-image-1620135430.png\" "\\"Screen")
<\/div>\n![\"Screen](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2021\/05\/ispring-blog-image-1620136855.png\" "\\"Screen")
<\/div>\n![\"\u2714\"](\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/13.0.1\/svg\/2714.svg\")
Ease of use<\/p>\n