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 computer monitor, or screen.  This article covers software that creates educational demonstrations, computer simulations, and training assessments.  Darymple (2007) describes this type of screen capture software as "the tool" for creating software simulations.  Darymple explains that this software allows you to capture software screens and movements in a video format, edit and annotate them, and them publish them in Flash format.  For educational purposes, an instructor could create a computer demonstration and include his/her own 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 (formerly Macromedia RoboDemo) from Adobe, Camtasia Studio from TechSmith, and SnapX Pro from Ambrosia.  The second class of screen capture software is network server-based software.  Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro (formerly Macromedia Breeze) allows users to share presentations and multimedia withothers over the Web.  Adobe's Connect software allows synchronous two-way audio and interactive video.

What material is available for learning this software?

The materials for learning Adobe Captivate appear to be somewhat limited at this time.  IconLogic has published a workbook, "Essentials of Adobe Captivate 4", by Kevin Siegel (2009) that provides step-by-step instruction for many of Captivate's features.  IconLogic also offers, "Adobe Captivate 4, Beyond the Essentials".

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 / educational pricing available?

Adobe Captivate 4 software 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.  Ambrosia software offers SnapZ Pro for $69.  A 20% educational discount is available.

What are the minimum system requirments?

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.

Siegel, K, (2009). Essentials of Adobe Captivate 4, Riva, MD: IconoLogic, Inc.

Yelinek, K, Tarnowski, L, Hannon, P, & Oliver, S. (2008) Captivate MenuBuilder: Creating an Online Tutorial forTeaching Software, The Clearing House, 12, 101-106.

Websites

http://www.adobe.com/products/captivate/

http://www.ambrosiasw.com/utilities/snapzprox/