• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
ashley chiasson, m. ed

Ashley Chiasson, M.Ed

Instructional Designer & Consultant

  • Blog
  • About
  • Storyline Tutorials
  • Portfolio
  • Contact
  • Sprout E-Learning

Grab the free Course Development Plan

Sign up for my newsletter and grab your free Course Development Plan PDF to streamline course creation.

Terminology Tuesday: Screencast

September 16, 2014

I’ve been meaning to record a bunch of  screencasts lately, and then it dawned on me that some of you might not know what a screencast is! What a perfect opportunity to let you all in on one of the most effective ways of explaining something digital to another individual.

So what is a screencast?

A screencast is a digital recording of what is on your computer’s monitor – a broadcast of your screen if you will. You can record these screencasts using many different tools; however, I prefer using Camtasia. There are also a few free options available that I’ve found fairly effective: Screenr.com and Screencast-o-matic.com.

Screenshot…screencast – same difference, right?

WRONG! Screenshots are static image captures of your screen content/the content displayed on your monitor. Screencasts are videos created of your screen content/the content being displayed on your monitor. Both are effective within the training industry, but if you’re like me, you probably appreciate screencasts more than you do screenshots. At least when you’re trying to learn something new.

Screencasts are great because the user only needs to access one resource to see a process from start to finish instead of scrolling through a series of step-by-step style screenshots. In my opinion, screencasts are most effective when it comes to learning complex (or new) software as you can pause, rewind, and fast-forward depending on the specific information you’re looking for.

Have any tips or tricks?

My only real piece of advice when it comes to screencasting is to SCRIPT YO’ SCREENCAST! Why? Because it makes for a more professional looking video!

Still confused? Here are some resources:

  • Screencasting – Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything
  • Screencast Wiki
  • Mixing it Up with Articulate Replay Screencasts

Share this post:

Share on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Email

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Instructional Design Tagged: Terminology Tuesday

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Meet Ashley

Ashley ChiassonI’m a Instructional Designer with over 15 years of professional experience, and have developed e-learning solutions for clients within the Defence, Post-Secondary Education, Health, and Sales sectors. For more about me, click here!

Want more Instructional Design tips & tricks?

Subscribe below to get them sent straight to your inbox!

Featured Posts

Getting Started

Building Your Portfolio

Learn the Essentials

Essentials of Instructional Design

Mastering Articulate Storyline


Mastering Articulate Storyline will teach you some advanced techniques to leverage your existing Storyline skills.
Check it out:
Packt Publishing | Amazon

Articulate Storyline Essentials


Articulate Storyline Essentials will hold your hand while you get up and running with Storyline!
Check it out:
Packt Publishing | Amazon

Awards

2019

2018

Footer

Looking for something?

AC link to home

Let’s connect

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

© 2014–2025 Ashley Chiasson M. Ed.