Clone Yourself!

(Or Just Record What's On Your Screen) 

With Screencastify

@LisaBerghoff/@MrKimDHS

I have had more and more staff members asking about how to record what is on their screens. Teachers running review sessions, counselors giving presentations, club sponsors sharing information, and students going beyond powerpoint presentations, are all looking for the "best" solution for screen recording (also referred to as screen casting).

There are several fantastic tools out there that will enable you to record what is on your screen, or record from your webcam, or both, but I have found Screencastify to be the simplest to use.

First of all, it has a Chrome extension. That means there is nothing to download and it will save to your Google drive.  Showing a demonstration of how to navigate a website? Screencastify will highlight your mouse clicks and there is also a pen drawing tool to point out important information on a doc. The value of video is indisputable. We are learning more and more from videos. Plus, there are times when students are absent, or just need a chance to hear and see the information again. Offering videos to the students gives them the ability to be in control. They can pause, re-watch parts, and go at a pace that feels right to them and their learning needs.

The biggest question is always, How do I share it? The good news is that Screencastify autosaves to your Google drive. All you need to do is share the link. You can also upload to YouTube or download as an MP4, Gif, or MP3.

Here's how it works:

1. Go to Screencastify.com and add the Chrome extension to your school account. This is helpful because it means that whatever device you are using, you will have access to Screencastify, as long as you are logged in.

2. Ready to record? I suggest writing a script and practicing a few times but if you say you're ready I will believe you. Just click on the Screencastify extension icon in the upper right corner to start using Screencastify.

3. Choose : Browser Tab, Desktop, or Webcam Only to determine what will actually record. 

Make sure your microphone has access (you will need to click allow the first time through) and choose Embed Webcam if you want your face to show in a little box on the screen. Sometimes it's nice to see your face when you are talking:)

4. Click the Blue Record button. It will give you a three second countdown. Need more time? You can adjust to a five or ten second countdown. 

5. Click again to stop recording and wait for your Google drive link.

That's it! You can do this! Let us know how you are using video in your classroom and if you would like some assistance on your first try with Screencastify!