Screen Capture

Ideas

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.
  • 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.

Examples

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

Written Tutorial

Tutorials

PicPick- See Help in program and The Village Computer Basics

Skitch

Snagit

Software

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