Recording your Screen for Online Instruction

Owned by hamiltew
Last updated: Jul 12, 2023 by LJ Friedman (Unlicensed)Version comment
3 min read

Making a video of your computer screen (either just one window or the entire screen) is commonly referred to as Screencasting. This is a list of software options for creating screencast videos.

WE WILL CONTINUE UPDATING THESE INSTRUCTIONS AS NEW INFORMATION & PRACTICES BECOME KNOWN. Watch for "NEW! (Date)" flags to appear in the text below.

Snagit

  • Summary: Snagit is a cross-platform screencasting app that’s very easy to use, it's our first recommendation if you can purchase it. There are no functional differences between the commercial version and the educational version; however, the educational version can only be used for educational material.

  • Operating System: Mac and Windows

  • Price:

  • Instructions:

    • After purchasing Snagit from the above link, TechSmith should send you an email with instructions for downloading Snagit.

    • After installing Snagit, you can follow the instructions here for creating a screen-capture video.

  • Pros:

    • Works on Windows and Macs

    • Simple to use

    • Includes basic video editing

    • Good learning materials

  • Cons:

    • Paid service

Quicktime

  • Summary: Quicktime is an application included in MacOS that's typically for viewing videos, but it also has a screen recording option. If you have a Mac, it's a very quick and simple option.

  • Operating System: Mac

  • Price: Free (should be pre-installed with most Macs)

  • Pros:

    • Super simple to use

    • Provides basic video editing after recording is finished
    • No-install necessary
  • Cons:
    • Mac only
    • Can’t select a single window to record
    • File size of the recording can be very large, might benefit from video-compressing afterward
  • Notes
    • After you’re done recording, use the tiny “stop” button at the top of your screen to end the recording.
       

Zoom

  • Summary: Zoom is intended for video conferencing, but its record function allows you to use it for screencasting as well.
  • Operating System: All Operating Systems
  • Price: Free (There is a premium version, but it's not necessary for screencasting, contact ims@whitman.edu for either a free or premium license)
  • Instructions:
    • Start a Zoom meeting for just yourself
    • If you don't want video of your face to be included with the screencast, turn off your camera
    • Use the Record button to start recording
    • Use the Share Screen button to share part of your screen
    • When you're done, stop recording and close the meeting. The recording should be saved to your documents folder
    • This YouTube video provides similar instructions
  • Pros:
    • Free
    • Easy to use
    • Records locally, so not effected by connection speed (like Google Meet)
  • Cons:
    • Simple, doesn't include advanced features like video editing

Google Meet

  • Recording is a premium feature only available for Teaching and Learning Upgrade and Education Plus customers of Google.  Whitman is currently (as of 31 January 2022) working on the implementation of this service.  Please use an alternative platform (like Zoom) for recording meetings, until further notice. 

Other Screencasting Options

Here is some information on other options that we're aware of, though we haven't tested these

  • Xbox Game Bar

    • OS: Windows 10

    • Price: Free

    • Notes: Should be pre-installed with Windows 10

  • Powerpoint

    • OS: Mac and Windows

    • Price: Free for Whitman

    • Notes:

      • If you create a presentation in Powerpoint, you can record yourself giving that presentation and export it to video.

      • Whereas other options can record any part of your screen (including Powerpoint) note that Powerpoint can only make a recording of a Powerpoint presentation.

      • When giving the presentation, you cannot go backwards to a previous slide, you can only progress forwards.

      • During the transition from one slide to the next slide audio will not be recorded.

  • OBS

    • Link: obsproject.com

    • OS: Mac and Windows

    • Price: Free

    • Notes: OBS is a very powerful tool but less user-friendly than other options. 

  • Captop