Title: READ: Creating a Screencast
Course: Computer Technology

Creating a Screencast

Intro

So what is a screencast anyway? You already used Jing to create a screenshot - now let's use it to create a screencast!

A screencast is a movie of your computer screen. Typically it includes a voice-over narration so that you as the author can give verbal instructions while the viewer sits and watches your screen. As a matter of fact, teachers at OHSU use screencasts to help you all the time.

You will be learning how to create a screencast (with voice over narration) using Jing for this class.

(NOTE: If you are having technical difficulties with Jing, please contact tech@openhighschool.org)

Check Jing Settings

First, let's open up Jing by going to the start menu and finding the TechSmith folder. The Jing icon is inside, click on it. You will now see the little sun hovering at the top of your screen.

Before you start to create your screenshot, you'll want to make sure you have a video setting correct with Jing. Click on the MORE settings, like in this picture here:

The MORE settings window will bring up this window. Click on the PREFERENCES button.

You will see the preferences menu come up. Make sure the video format is set to SWF, like you see in the picture below. Once you have set this setting, click on the FINISH checkmark at the bottom left.

Draw Square over Recorded Area

Now let's begin to make a screencast. Click on the crosshair, like you always do to take a screenshot.

Now, drag a big square over the area you want recorded during your screencast:

You will see a menu pop up, where normally you would have clicked to save the image. Instead, click "Capture Video."

Record Your Screencast

After you press this button, a countdown from 3, 2 and 1 will begin before Jing begins recording your screen and microphone.

Solve your math problem during your screencast and talk into your microphone. Jing records the screen and any audio input coming from a microphone.

After you've finished solving the problem, click on the STOP button in the lower left. **Side note - the free version of Jing will only record up to 5 minutes of video, so make sure to finish solving your problem within 5 minutes.

Saving Your Screencast

Once you've clicked STOP, this next screen will appear. Give your screencast a name, and then click on the SAVE button. On this screen, you can also click on that giant PLAY button in the center to watch your screencast before you save it.

Once you hit SAVE, this screen will come up asking you where you want to save the file. Locate a good place on your computer to save the screencast (somewhere where you will remember where it is) and then hit SAVE again.

Once you hit SAVE, this little image will appear at the top of your screen, near the Jing sun at the top:

You're done! You have successfully created a screencast!

Example

And just if you're curious - here's my math screencast that I made.