In November, I wrote about Jing, a powerful screen snapshot and screen recording program. Like Jing, ScreenToaster allows users to make videos and screen casts. Unlike Jing, ScreenToaster is a web application. Users can simultaneously record video and audio or add the soundtrack later. Also, users can upload their videos to YouTube and/or ScreenToaster and download videos from the site as Flash and AVI videos.
I first learned about ScreenToaster from Dr. Yuen while attending his presentation in MECA 2010 conference. After the MECA conference, I immediately utilized the ScreenToaster for my classes. Video podcasting on how to use Dabbleboard.com was my first experience with ScreenToaster. I produced several video podcasts lectures for my Textiles class as well. In my opinion, ScreenToaster is very user friendly.
As I stated previously that ScreenToaster is very easy to use, a step by step of how to use ScreenToaster is given below:
1. You can get start by simply click the “Start Recording” button. However, if you feel uncomfortable to jump in to use ScreenToaster, I recommend that you watch the demo videos.
2. Once you click the “Start Recording” button, the following window will pop up. You have a few simple options. You can choose to record (a) the entire screen, or (b) a smaller rectangular area that you can stretch and position. You can also select a sound input source. Your third option is to make a video using your webcam, instead of by capturing your screen.
Recently, ScreenToaster has released a new beta version (a newer version with improvements, but also, perhaps, with some bugs). If you choose to use the beta version, you will see the following screen:
Just as with the older version of ScreenToaster, the beta version allows you to select the area of the screen that you wish to record:
Before you start, don’t forget to select your audio input source:
3. After you have selected (a) the area of the screen you wish to record and (b) your audio input source, you may click the red button to begin recording. Remember, after you press record, ScreenToaster will wait 5 seconds before it begins recording so you have time to get to other web page, your desktop, or a program window (such as PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc.).
4. When you are finished recording, press “ATL”+ “S” to pause your recording, then return to the ScreenToaster webpage and press “Stop Recording” button to stop recording.
5. You can preview your recording by pressing the “play” arrow. Once you are satisfied with your video, you can either upload your video to ScreenToaster.com or YouTube.com. Also, you can save your video to your computer as .AVI or .MOV.
6. Furthermore, you can share your video by sending the URL through email or by embedding the video in your blog or website.
This semester, as one of their projects, my students have created video podcasts reviewing different websites related to their future goals. Students wishing to create their own businesses could review websites they might use, or websites they might model their businesses after. Other students chose to review the websites of companies they might want to work for. The following video is an example of my students’ work:
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