Screen Capture Software as an Educational Tool
What is screen capture software?
There is large variety of software available that can capture the viewing area of a computer monitor. This article does not include screen capture software that merely takes a static picture of the compter monitor, or screen. Screen capture software used for educational purposes is best known for creating video that captures changes occuring on the screen and combines it with sound. Typically, an instructor would create a computer demonstration and include his/her voice for instruction.
According to MacDonald (2007, p. 38), there are two classes of screen capturing software. The first class is software that is installed on a personal computer. The software creates a Adobe Flash file. Flash files play quickly without using a lot of bandwidth. Software in this category include Captivate 4 from Adobe, Camtasia Studio from TechSmith, and SnapZ Pro from Ambrosia. The second class of screen capture software is network server-based software. Breeze from Adobe allows users to create PowerPoint presentations with voice-overs. Connect is software that allows synchronous two-way audio and interactive video.
How is screen capture software being used as an educational tool?
What is an example of a current implementation of teaching that uses this technology?
Mt. San Antonio College Library has a web page with multiple online tutorials which they call "Info To Go". Adobe Captivate was used to create their tutorials. The research process is explained in the first tutorial..
What are some the screen capture software programs that are available?
Adobe Captivate 4 (formerly known as Macromedia Robodemo).
Camtasia Studio from TechSmith.
What do these software programs cost? Is there
academic pricing available?
Adobe Captivate 4 software (formerly known as Macromedia Robodemo) can be purchased for $799 directly from Adobe. The Adobe Education Store offers college students (Higher-Ed students who can verify their student status) the opportunity to purchase the software at the significantly discounted price of $249.
Camtasia Studio 6 is available at the TechSmith online store for $299 or with educational pricing for $179.
What are the minimum system requirments?
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Camtasia Studio
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Adobe Captivate 4
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SnapZ Pro |
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(Windows)
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(Windows)
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(Mac) |
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Camtasia Studio 6 minimum stystem requirements for Windows:
- Microsoft Windows XP or Vista
- Microsoft DirectX 9 or later version
- 1.0 GHz processor minimum ~ Recommended: 2.5 GHz (for PowerPoint and camera recordings.)
- 500 MB RAM minimum ~ Recommended: 1.0 GB
- Windows-compatible sound card, microphone and speakers (recommended)
- 60 MB of hard-disk space for program installation
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Adobe Captivate 4 minimum system requirements for Windows:
- Intel® Pentium® 4, Intel Centrino®, Intel Xeon®, or Intel Core™ Duo (or compatible) processor
- Microsoft® Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (Service Pack 3 recommended) or Windows Vista® Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise with Service Pack 1 (certified for 32-bit editions)
- 512MB of RAM (1GB recommended)
- 1.5GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on flash-based storage devices)
- DVD-ROM drive
- 800x600 screen resolution (1,024x768 recommended)
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References
Clark, J (2008) Captivate/ Camtasia. Journal of Medial Library Association, 96 (1), 75-79.
Darymple, D & Katica, Roy (2007). Captivate. Training Media Review, Retrieved April 19, 2009, from http://libris.mtsac.edu:2142/itx/start.do?prodId=AONE
MacDonald, L & Caverly, D (2007) Techtalk: Screen Capturing. Journal of Developmental Education. 20 (3), 38-39.
Yelinek, K, Tarnowski, L, Hannon, P, & Oliver, S. (2008) Captivate MenuBuilder: Creating an Online Tutorial forTeaching Software, The Clearing House, 12, 101-106.
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