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Screenr an Incredibly Easy Screen Recorder
Posted by Tyler Wall in Mobile, Podcasting, Screen Recording, Video on September 2nd, 2009
Screenr is a free screen recording application that requires no installation and works right through your browser.
I generally do my fair share of screen recordings usually to show people how to use applications. I use the great free tool Jing to do this and have loved it but it does require a few simple steps to install it and get it working. Screenr takes an easy process and makes it even easier somehow.
You literally only need a Twitter account and a browser to be recording short tutorials (5 min max) with Screenr that have a surprisingly great quality. Once you have recorded you are left with the option of Tweeting your recording, although you can elect not to tweet but you still need to sign into Twitter (hence needing the Twitter account). From there you can access the raw files for that you recorded or get the embed code to put it anywhere you like. All this is done platform independent because it is all browser powered.
Screenr also has a bookmarklet that makes it easy to quickly and easily record wherever you are as long as your browser is open. This truly is such an easy tool to easily incorporate into your routine that could save tons of time in giving direction to students or other instructors. Screenr videos will also play on an iPhone and other mobile devices which is great for getting your tutorials to people wherever they are.
I don’t see this tool replacing Jing or Camtasia (the granddaddy of all screen recorders and possibly the most expensive as well) but it does simplify and speed up the process of screen recording and sharing. If you don’t already have Jing or Camtasia then Screenr may be the right fit for you, heck I will probably be using it more often than I use the other tools because it fits so well into my workflow.
Here is an example of a short screenrecording I created.
I would come up with my own reasons to use this in education but honestly early in the writing of this post I found another article that shows great ways of how to use Screenr for education so here it is.
http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/how-to-use-this-free-screencasting-tool-for-e-learning/
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Streaming Video Made Easy
Posted by Tyler Wall in Video, streaming on July 27th, 2009
Here is a great list of online streaming video applications from Robin Good’s blog.
Live Video Streaming: Guide To The Best Broadcast Services To Stream Your Video In Real-Time via kwout
I highly recommend that you go give the whole article a good read as there is a wealth of great information on streaming video in the article.
How can Streaming video be used in Education? Most of my ideas are for a distance education course but could easily be applied to a Face to Face course.
- The virtues of streaming video in a distance education course can bridge the gap of Face 2 Face education and Distance Education catering to more learning styles.
- It can be recorded and played later so Distance students still get the benefit of a lecture format at a time that suits them.
- Students that miss class can watch it at a later time to help them catch up.
- Because there is a commenting feature you can have shy students ask questions during class that can be answered at a more convenient time in the lecture.
- Students can stream presentations and if paired up with other web 2.0 tools like 280 slides could make for very dynamic presentations.
- By early 2010 you will be able to use these tools with mobile devices, think of the appications of streaming live events like the Obama inauguration from hundreds of devices compiling different perspectives and opinions. Think of the papers that could be written from this kind of information.
- Use it like a video blog to give extra information to students at different points of the week, send out vital information for an exam or research paper that is broadcast only once (this could be tips on places to do research, a clue to an answer on an exam, a student life lesson, a simple reminder, tips and tricks, proper APA formatting, or really get into it and create a mysterious persona for yourself and slip them vital course information as if they are in mission impossible and getting controband information). This works in several ways it reminds the students of the assignment, keeps them thinking about it, makes them feel like they are getting insider information, gets them actively involved, and keeps things fresh. You could make it a requirement to follow them or just a resource for great tips.
What would/have you done with video streaming in your course?
Ustream, I stream we all stream for educational purposes
Posted by Tyler Wall in Presentation, Video on March 2nd, 2009
USTREAM.TV: LIVE VIDEO Streaming, Free Video Chat Rooms. Watch Shows & Broadcast Live TV, stream videos, web podcasts. Live streaming videos and webcam chat via kwout
Ustream is an online service that lets you stream live or recorded video to a worldwide audience. The service is all hosted on their site, you just record/broadcast it and it is available to all. All you need is a web cam, microphone and an internet connection. As an added bonus whoever is watching can chat with the broadcaster or with each other live. This opens up plenty more opportunities.
So how could someone in education utilize this tool?
- Well I think the obvious way is to stream lectures live to Distance Learning Students to make them feel more a part of a class. Even if they cant make it at the specified time they can watch the recording. Questions could be asked and wouldn’t interrupt the lecture.
- Set up a weekly channel broadcast where you deliver added value content for your course, nothing required but something that they can watch for a bit more information.
- We’ve all seen or heard of live feeds of a rare bird nesting or a beluga webcam at the Vancouver Aquarium (http://www.vanaqua.org/belugacam/) why not set something like that up for a science experiment or a research project.
- Broadcast big events that you are covering and give your synopsis of what is happening.
- Set up a roundtable discussion with some colleagues, discuss some important issues that involve your course and even involve the viewers to ask questions.
- Broadcast campus sporting events.
Again these are just some of my ideas and I would love to hear your comments or additions to this topic.
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