Best+Practices

===What is Screencasting? | Why Use Screencasts? **|** Tools **|** Examples | My Best Practices === 

Best Practices
Preparation is key if you want your screencast to remain relevant for some time.

Pre-Planning Stage

 * Write a script. This will help make sure you (and your students) know what the screencast will be about.
 * Storyboard Your Screencast
 * Step-by-step helps make the process much more smooth
 * []
 * Storyboard generator: []
 * []
 * Prepare your web browser
 * Eliminate any unnecessary tool bars
 * Close out all tabs
 * Find a quiet location. (OK--I realize that this doesn't exactly work with kids in a computer lab, but do your best)
 * Find a decent microphone or headset/mic combo
 * Walk through the steps of your screencast at least one time so you'll feel more prepared.

Recording Stage

 * If you can get it in one take--awesome! If not, don't worry because it does get easier with practice.
 * Be sure to review your screencast at least once to make sure you got the recording you wanted.

Post-Production Stage

 * Save your screencast file
 * Upload to a service that you can share your screencast with. Many of the sites offer free and low-cost hosting packages.[|www.screencast.com]
 * [[image:flipvideo:screencast.com width="563" height="151" caption="www.screencast.com"]] ||


 * [[image:flipvideo:edublogs_logo.gif caption="www.edublogs.tv" link="http://www.youtube.com/"]] ||


 * [[image:flipvideo:teachertube-logo.jpg caption="www.teachertube.com" link="http://www.youtube.com/"]] ||


 * [[image:flipvideo:youtube_logo.jpg width="210" height="161" caption="www.youtube.com" link="http://www.youtube.com/"]] ||

[|10 Fast Tips]
 * 1) Keep it short & concise.
 * 2) Credit licensed media as you go.
 * 3) Choose a generic file format. (Not all hosts accept Flash)
 * 4) Offer iPod versions.
 * 5) Consider using captioning to offer subtitles or translations.
 * 6) Add your brand/logo to title slides.
 * 7) Remember the 100 MB limit of most hosts.
 * 8) Reduce file size by only recording an area of your desktop.
 * 9) Post your **//screencasts//** on Facebook & other social sites.
 * 10) Have fun

(Source: Kroski, E. (2009, February). That's Infotainment!. //School Library Journal//, //55//(2), 40-42. Retrieved May 1, 2009, from Professional Development Collection database.)