Project 2: Screen Capture

There are a number of paid and free screen capture tools. Most computer platforms include a screen capture tool which may entirely sufficient. More advanced screen capture tools provide for easier annotation and work flow. Annotations are a great way to fully develop tutorials. For this project, use any screen capture tool as desired. In step 1, choose a screen capture tool from those suggested. Screen capture tools are convenient and low cost. Consider purchasing a screen capture tool. If so, there is hardly a better choice than Snagit.

Suggested Screen Capture Tools

PicPick ($0-Windows)
Skitch ($0- Mac)
Snagit ($29 Academic Pricing- Windows, Mac) (Makes screen casts too)

Spend time with the chosen screen capture tool. Create a few screen captures. Make annotations. Save files. Learn the capabilities of the chosen screen capture tool.

Choose a topic for a How-to Tutorial. This tutorial may be something related to a course or on a topic of special interest. It is very helpful to plan the tutorial before beginning. A great idea is to compose the written portion of the tutorial before creating screenshots.

Tutorial Tips

• Step through the process slowly and thoughtfully from the perspective of the audience.
• Consider the audience to choose the correct pacing, language, and needed detail.
• Write out the steps for the process before creating screen shots
• Develop mental images of how the screenshots should look.
• Choose a format for the tutorial. Written instructions and images in side-by-side columns? Written instructions followed by images? Written instructions wrapping around images?
• Consider distribution: email attachment (Word or Acrobat Reader), webpage, Blackboard content, etc.

Capture Tips

• Consider if the screenshot should be full screen or a more detailed section of the screen.
• Select more screen than needed. Crop later.
• For some processes, it is best to capture more screen to give context to the viewer.
• Annotate the screen shot to highlight important sections and to reflect the written instructions.

Strive to make the tutorial both concise and detailed. Do not try to add every aspect and every component of each step as instructions will become overwhelming. However, some steps may require more detail. The goal is to move the reader through successful completion of the process as simply as possible. If a lot of detail is necessary, consider if the tutorial should be split into parts.

Design Tips

• Provide only as much detail as needed to complete the process, but do not leave out critical steps.
• Consider creating a template which could be used for other tutorials. This template might include a header with a title, name and contact information, borders, font styles, and other formatting aspects to better represent your message.
• Formats such as Acrobat Reader (.pdf), webpage (.html) are more trustworthy in maintaining formatting and design.
• Tutorials do not necessarily need additional text. The image may be entirely sufficient.
• Word is an excellent tool to use for organizing images and writing instructions. Other tools are PowerPoint, Publisher, Pages, etc.

Tutorial Ideas

• Set-up online course service (McGraw-Hill Connect, Hawkes Learning, etc.)
• Special instructions for Attendance Verification
• Content related how-to or instruction
• Hobby Related
• Directions to a meeting place

Examples

Student Examity Instructions (Webpage)
Bb Collaborate Quick Start Guide (PDF)
The Basics of Hammock Camping (Webpage)
Textbook Instructions (Blackboard Page)

The final step of Project 2 is to share your screencast with others. Submission is a two step process:

1. Attach the tutorial file (or a URL if the tutorial is online) to the Online@JSU Community. Include a short description with any information necessary to place the video in context. Community members and Online@JSU staff will provide feedback and suggestions.
2. Incorporate suggestions into the tutorial and re-post to the Online@JSU Community. Include in the post a reflection on the project which includes your thoughts on how screen capture might be utilized in your courses or workplace.

This revised screencast and reflection is the final submission for Project 2.

Direct link to Online@JSU Community- Online@JSU Community

Tutorials

Share URL with the Online@JSU Community
Join the Online@JSU Community
Yammer (Online@JSU Community) Help

• Step through process slowly and thoughtfully from the perspective of the audience.
• Consider audience to choose the correct pacing, language, and needed detail.
• Write out the steps for process before creating screen shots
• Develop mental images of how the screenshots should look.
• Choose a format for tutorial. Written instructions and images in side-by-side columns? Written instructions followed by images? Written instructions wrapping around images?
• Consider distribution: email attachment (Word or Acrobat Reader), webpage, Blackboard content, etc.
• Provide only as much detail as needed to complete the process, but do not leave out critical steps.
• Consider creating a template which could be used for other tutorials. This template might include a header with a title, name and contact information, borders, font styles, and other formatting aspects to better represent message.
• Formats such as Acrobat Reader (.pdf), webpage (.html) are more trustworthy in maintaining formatting and design.
• Tutorials do not necessarily need additional text. The image may be entirely sufficient.
• Word is an excellent tool to use for organizing images and writing instructions. Other tools are Power-point, Publisher, Pages, etc.

More Tips

• Making the Most of Visuals in eLearning: 9 Tips and 5 Examples
• Leveraging multimedia for learning
• Creating Effective Visual Metaphors