#screencasting

Did you ever think to be able to use your webcam with more than one application at once? Alone, Windows cannot do that, but Manycam can! This program lets you manage your webcam in other applications so that you can always keep rolling, for example during live performances, presentations or while making tutorials. Key Features of Manycam: 1.Total Webcam Control: Find out how to change resolution, colouring and format to make pictures more better in the video. 2.Picture in Picture (PiP): Design visibility for two or more screens to enable switching between the screens in the course of presentation. 3.Screencasting: Display your desktop live as you talk through it, ideal for a lesson or even a teamwork setup. 4.Audio Effects: Using audio effects change the tone of your voice to the type that you require. 5.Automatic Bitrate Adjustment: Making sure that the program will stream without any glitches with low connection to the World Wide Web.

School librarians have evolved and learned to be in two places simultaneously! Well, they wish... However, screencasting software has enabled it to leverage technology to record and produce video footage that can support distance learning or a flipped classroom learning style. This can be an effective tool for school librarians who need to be in two places at once and to support classroom curriculum with integrated library skills.

Initially, I decided to do some brief, informal research into what makes an excellent screencasting video, and I came across some great resources. The Techsmith Blog offered sound advice when creating a screencasting video:

Choose screen recording software

Prepare yourself and screen for recording

Record your screen

Make adjustments to your recording

Save and share your screencast

Following the advice from the blog, I decided to use awesomescreenshot.com software to record my video. I chose this software because it is user-friendly, familiar, and the free option for the software contains adequate tools to complete my how-to tutorial video.

I decided to record a brief how-to video on using two features of the advanced search option in Destiny Discover for an elementary school library. The ability to use the advanced search options in a library OPAC will empower students to find and access the information they need; moreover, a series of how-to Destiny Discover videos will benefit the unfamiliar library user when the school librarian is unavailable.

The process of creating the video tutorial required initial research, conceptualizing content, recording, and video editing. That said, the work required for a three-minute video tutorial is not represented within the time constraints of the video itself. It's a process. The Techsmith Blog also advises adding transitional elements and background music to elevate your production and provides a link to a great informational video on how to add these elements to your work.

With this in mind, after my recording had been accomplished, I used iMovie, an apple video editor, to import my recording. From there, I used iMovie to add background music which I obtained from the audio library on Youtube. The audio library on Youtube is convenient for virtual content creators and provides open-licensed music for video creation. Once satisfied, I added elements such as an introductory slide and transitions between slides to avoid jerky, misplaced video segments and promote a more natural watching experience.

This is my final product.

References

Audio library—YouTube Studio. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC-Smxhxtin1ERD3w5kchiSg/music

Camtasia (Director). (2020, October 2). How To Make Your Screencasts Look Better (and Easier To Edit). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsIf7r6mAEc

Thank you Screencastify for this awesome news about unlimited recordings, trims, and other awesome upgrades for our students! Awesome news!

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