Thing 7: Podcasting and Screencasting

OK - This is like finding money in your pocket good!!! Because I have no aid I find it so hard to find a balance between closing the library and going into classrooms to teach.  In addition, I have my own classes every day when I am simply not available to go in with a teacher.  I have been looking and looking for an EASY way to record me and my screen so that I can send videos to teachers so that they can show their students tips on the various things I teach at their convenience and so that they aren't relying on me to be there in person.  The screencasting tools are certainly the answer I've been looking for. 

I have consulted with our tech folks at BOCES about doing something like this through the Promethean but that's difficult at best because that means I have to go to the lab and that requires me to have time to do that, no kids in the lab, and lots of trial and error.  I tried all three screencasting tools and I think that Screencast-O-Matic will work best for me.  Jing requires a download which is not allowed at our school and Screenr didn't allow you to record both the screen and you with the WebCam (or at least I didn't find that feature). 

I am SO excited to try this with my teachers and kids.  My first recording is about which fields students need to pay attention to and how to print from NoodleTools which is our WONDERFUL and so very inexpensive citation database (if you want info about all the awesome things NoodleTools can do just email me).  I also intend to use this to show students about Prezi and other Web 2.0 tools.  The amount of time it will free up for me is simply astounding!!  And it will eliminate those calls from my teachers saying "Did you forget you were supposed to be in my class this period?" 

I am so, so excited about this lesson.  My how-to videos will post to my website so check it out at www.heightsschools.com/taelibrary!