Screencast-O-matic: free screen recording software

What is it?

Screencast-O-matic is an intuitive and flexible screen recording tool that makes screen capture videos. It is easy to use and does not really require technical skills. It works on Windows and Mac PCs, so you do not need to download or install the software if you already have java. You can download the recorder launcher as a stand alone application and use it as a short cut.

Screencast-O matic offers a fifteen-minute screen and webcam recording for free, the possibility to share your video on YouTube and save it as a compressed Mp4 file on your desktop. A big advantage is that you can pause the recording and reorganise your ideas when you get stuck before resuming. This tool is useful for both teachers and learners, and can be personalised for different educational purposes. 

Benefits for teachers

Screen capture tools were not originally made for Educational purposes, but they are currently being used in many ways to enhance English language teaching and learning. Screencast-O-matic enables you to flip your classroom by recording tutorials or giving learners recorded instructions related to a particular tasks that they can do online before the face-to-face class. It is an easy way of video recording your powerpoint presentation at home and send it to your students and peers, or share it online for teacher development purposes. 

The tool can also be used to give feedback on written work. You just need to open your students' work on the screen of your computer and highlight the different areas you wish to comment on. Giving video recorded feedback has several advantages compared to written feedback. Giving visual or oral feedback with this tool allows you to focus on more details, in a more personal way. It builds in teacher presence as learners listen to the teacher and can see him at the same time with the webcam recording. Recorded feedback is also useful for revision and can be efficient for distance learning. It can therefore be personalised in order to motivate learners.

Benefits for learners

• Develop learners' speaking skills: Because Screencast-O-matic records the computer screen, your learners can use it to record their own voice while making mini presentations that can be adapted to their level. For example, beginners can start with describing pictures of places they have uploaded, describing people such as classmates or family members. 

• Enhance your learners' presentation skills: You can also urge your students to use this tool in order to develop skills in making presentations. We always ask our learners to present their work in front of their peers without preparing them in advance. So allowing your learners to rehearse before class presentations by video recording a preview, to get feedback, and to correct pronunciation mistakes before performing is of paramount importance.

Watch the tutorial for more

Limitations and possible back up plans
Despite its affordance and flexibility, using Screencast-O-matic with your students will certainly require a little induction to show them the different features before getting started. They need to build confidence, so a little bit of scaffolding will be very helpful for beginners. 
The free version does not allow editing, drawing or zooming but it offers a fifteen-minute recording, which is enough for any task because good recordings (feedback or presentation) should not last more than two minutes.
 Giving feedback to all students in a large class can be jaw breaking and daunting for teachers, therefore give a general feedback on common errors for example.