About this Mission

Students will be completing two Quests.  The first includes creating a cartoon to convey ideas using WriteComics.  The second Quests asks students to create a “how to” recording using Screencast-o-matic or another screenrecording tool.  Students can use storyboards found at the Video Creation “thing” to script their ideas. 

Quest 1:  Cartooncasting
Completion time:  3-5 class periods

During this Quest, students will use the site WriteComics http://www.writecomics.com to create a comic strip.  Using the template provided (cartooncasting.pdf), students will follow the sample and create a carton.  The purpose of this lesson is to demonstrate how you can convey ideas and information using cartoons or comic characters in lieu of video using people.   Students post their cartoon to their online presence or “secret file space”.  Teachers should consider how they will evaluate this work. 

Quest 2:  Preparation
Completion time:  1-2 class periods

The first part of this Quest will be spent learning steps need to prepare to do a screenrecording. Students will view a planning their training tutorial, have accesss to the PowerPoint file used, and spend time identifying their topic and creating their script, and practicing for Quest 3.   (It is recommended students use the storyboarding templates found in Video Creation). 

Quest 3:  Screenrecording
Completion time:  2-4 class periods

The recommended tool for Quest 3 is Screencast-o-matic.   This FREE web tool is very simple to use, but limits the number of recordings that can be stored in a free account.  Students will need headphones with microphones (or a microphone and a quiet place) for this lesson so that they are able record their voice, and a web cam is optional. 

For a tutorial on using Screencast-o-matic, there is one on the home page of the site -- click here  

Students were asked to identify a topic in Quest 2, and plan out their training video. In this Quest they are to use the tools recommended to make a recording of their screen, teaching or demonstrating something. Narrating the tutorial is valuable part of it, but could be optional.

 Screen-recording and iPad apps

Available to download here is a  handout by Carolyn McCarthy    (additional pdf of PowerPoint presentation )  at the Digital Learning Conference Nov 2012, with examples. Some web sites which are great resources if you are interested in this topic are listed below:

http://teachwithyouripad.wikispaces.com/Screen+Recording+Apps

http://teachwithyouripad.wikispaces.com/iPAD+Apps

http://langwitches.org/blog/2011/08/20/screencasting-apps-for-the-ipad/

Alternatives:

Recorded live presentation: If you are unable to use any of the tools  for screenrecording, students could present their tutorial to the classroom with someone responsible for using a videocamera to record their live presentation. 

Jing: Another tool that could be used to complete this lesson is Jing   (which is a download). For tutorials on using Jing, visit TechSmith 

Camtasia Studio: Finally, many schools have site licenses for Camtasia Studio (requires a site license/fee based) that is also popular. 

iPad screencasting: we have provided a presentation on screencasting with an iPad. As new apps are continually added, you may find newer options as the year progresses.

For additional information about Screencasting, visit the 21things4teachers site and click on the thing called “Flipping the Classroom”. 

Advanced Activity

Over Achievers Project:  Make a screencast that shows the viewer how to play an educational game.  See the sample below by clicking on the image.
1. Go to: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/science.htm
2. Select a science game that is grade appropriate for your and make a screencast explaining how to play the game.
3. Place the completed screencast in your Weebly account or in your portfolio. Check with your SSI chief for complete directions for this.

Evaluation

Sample Screencasting Rubric

Standards Addressed: 

NETS-S

1. Creativity and Innovation
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.

2. Communication and Collaboration
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

3. Research and Information Fluency
a. plan strategies to guide inquiry.
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.

4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
a. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.

5. Digital Citizenship
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.
c. troubleshoot systems and applications.
d. transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.

METS-S

6-8. Creativity & Innovation
2. create an original project (e.g., presentation, web page, newsletter, information brochure) using a variety of media (e.g., animations, graphs, charts, audio, graphics, video) to present content information to an audience

6-8.Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Decision Making
2. evaluate available digital resources and select the most appropriate application to accomplish a specific task (e, g., word processor, table, outline, spreadsheet, presentation program)

6-8.Digital Citizenship
5. create media-rich presentations on the appropriate and ethical use of digital tools and resources

Apps

Screenchomp
ShowMe
Educreations
Explain Everything