Hi everyone,
The following screencast is designed to help TRU students learn how to navigate the ERIC database:
Learning Outcome
Students will learn how to focus their research through the use Boolean phrases within the ERIC database provided by TRU Library Services.
Summary
I chose to use Screencast-O-Matic to create my screencast. I chose to create a screencast designed to help students with navigating TRU’s Library and ERIC database. I found Screencast-O-Matic to be a simple program to navigate. I first needed to download Screencast-O-Matic software onto my computer and then I selected the microphone I would be using to record my narration. Once I had the screencast software downloaded and my microphone was set-up, all I needed to do was click “record”. Once my short-video was recorded I simply saved it as an MP4 onto my computer and uploaded it to YouTube.
I enjoy how screencasts can be used to create simple step-by-step tutorials “through the format of a (computer) screen” (Woolift, 2015, p. 31). My screencast video also helps to reinforce Mayer’s (2020) seductive details principle since I avoided the use of irrelevant words and graphics (p. 849).
References
Mayer, R. E., Fiorella, L., & Stull, A. (2020). Five ways to increase the effectiveness of instructional video. Educational Technology Research & Development, 68(3), 837–852.
Woolfit, Z. (2015). The effective use of video in higher education (Rep.), 10-38. Retrieved October 2, 2018, from https://www.inholland.nl/media/10230/the-effective-use-of-video-in-higher-education-woolfitt-october-2015.pdf
Hi Carson,
This is a good screencast introduction to database search. I find (like I think you did) that sometimes the size of browser area needed can shift during a screencast but you can often conquer this by doing a test run first to see if a later page ended up with scroll bars. Then you can pick a window size that suits.
One thing to adapt for a screencast is to be slower and purposeful when moving your mouse. I tend to move a bit randomly within a window and click on a new page to ensure focus but I need to be more intentional during a screencast because eyes are going to follow my cursor.
Hi there Keith, thanks for your feedback. Yes, I did experience a need to change the size of the browser area. I agree with you that practicing multiple test runs would help with future screencasts. I also agree that a focused approach to my use of my mouse would be helpful to avoid distracting movements. I will take all of your feedback into future productions.
Carson