Screencastify
What is Screencastify?
Screencastify is an extension for the Chrome browser that allows you to create screencasts and videos using your web camera. The free version allows you to create an unlimited number of videos up to 5 minutes in length. Videos can be automatically saved to your Google Drive.
What Can You Make with Screencastify?
With Screencastify, you can choose to record in three different ways.
- Browser tab - Capture only the information in one browser tab. Use this option when you are recording audio for a presentation, explaining how to use a website, or annotating on a web-based whiteboard.
- Entire desktop - Record anything that is viewable on your computer's desktop. Use this option for making screencasts of content in other software programs as well as when you need to move back and forth between different open windows or tabs.
- Webcam - Record whatever is viewable in the computer's webcam. Use this to record video of yourself. Plug in a document camera and you can record anything you display and interact with under that lens - think manipulatives, print materials, written explanations, etc.
Watch this short video to get additional details about each of the Screencastify recording modes.
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Install the Screencastify Extension
1. Review the directions in the video.
2. Go to the Screencastify listing in the Chrome Web Store. Note: You must be using Google Chrome to install and use Screencastify. 3. Follow the steps outlined in the video. |
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Recording with Screencastify
Recording with Screencastify is quick and easy! Use these step-by-step directions from Screencastify to learn how. If you want to dive deeper into Screencastify, take the free, 1hour, Master Screencaster course.If you prefer to learn via video tutorials, the friEDTechnology video is very helpful.
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Sharing Your Videos with Students
Now that you have created videos for your students, you will need to have an easy way for students to access them. Below are some ideas for how other educators have done this.
- Google Classroom
- Teacher website
- YouTube Channel
- Google Doc with links to the video
- Links in Seesaw
- Posted to Moodle course
Screencastify Examples
Lincoln Memorial - Virtual Field Trip
Browser tab recording with Google Slides show in presentation mode to narrate virtual field trip to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. |
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Use Templates with Google Docs
Browser tab recording done by an educator showing you how you might record an explanation video for your students. Her recording is about using the MLA report template found in Google Docs. |
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25 Ways to Use Screencastify with Google Apps
Click here to download a free ebook with great ideas for using Screencastify with GSuite for Education. |
50 Ways to Use Screencastify in the Classroom
Click here to download a free ebook highlighting 50 effective ways teachers and students can use Screencastify. |
Additional Ideas for Using Screencastify with Students
Students can make great use of Screencastify too! It is available for use by all ages of students as long as you follow proper guidelines for students 13 and under. Find details about this in the Screencastify Privacy Policy and from your district or school administration.
Ideas for Student Use
- Narrating Slideshows - Students can use Screencastify with Google Slides to narrate over slideshows that are set up as presentations, storybooks, animations, comic strips and more .
- Explaining Their Understanding - Record and explain what they know in their own words. Ask your students to work through a problem, summarize a concept, or explain the main points of a story, describe the causes of an event, etc.
- Dubbing A Video - Have your students play a video with the volume muted and record their own narration.
- Giving a Speech or Performance - Students record themselves using the webcam option giving a speech or performance. This would be great for a digital wax museum, class officer speeches, etc.
- Practicing Fluency - Students record themselves reading text from literature, textbooks, websites and other documents. This is a great way for younger students learning to read or older students learning a different language to practice. Plus, you'll be able to listen to their pronunciation as many times as you need and can send the recordings their parents to demonstrate progress.
Video showing how students could use Screencastify to demonstrate non-digital work while recording an explanation of what they are doing.
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Screencastify Editor
The Screencastify Editor is available to all users with the caveat that free accounts can edit videos no longer than 5 minutes in length.
The Editor allows you to
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Screencastify provides a User Guide to help you learn to use the editing tools.
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