PrintVideo Recording with ScreenPal (formerly Screencast-O-Matic)
Some assignments in this course will require you to use screen recording software to record and share videos with your instructor and peers. We recommend using ScreenPal because it is free and easy to use. If you need to become more familiar with it, please take some time to learn how to use it during orientation week. The first assignment that uses ScreenPal is in Lesson 1. The details will be provided within the lesson. The more comfortable you are with ScreenPal, the more effective your video will be and the better your grade will be. There are a couple of considerations to be aware of about ScreenPal.
- Set up an account on ScreenPal to share links to your videos. Do not use your Penn State user ID and password for this. You can sign up with a Google account or using an email address.
- When you create your video to share, remember that there is a 5-minute time limit for your assignments so you need to plan what you want to record ahead of time. ScreenPal has a 15-minute time limit, so keep track of your time.
- You may want to practice what you plan to say and time it, so you won’t go over the time limit. Talking while demonstrating a piece of software takes a certain skill, so if this isn’t something you are familiar with, practice that too. Don’t be discouraged if you have to re-record your video. Since they are only 5 minutes long, it is not a huge time commitment and it is to be expected with anything new.
- Help videos are available to teach you how to use the tool at ScreenPal: How tos, training, and tutorials. Be sure to review the videos before you create your first video.
To Make your Video
- Go to ScreenPal. You can watch a quick demo before you get started. You should use the FREE service linked at the bottom of the home page. You may use another screen capture software program if you prefer. Make sure you can save your finished file as an MP4 for submission for this course.
- Second, record your screen while you give your five-minute demonstration (make sure the audio is clear - using a headset microphone is normally the best way to ensure decent audio quality).
- Third, save it as a video file when you are done recording. You should save it as an MP4, and give it an appropriate, descriptive filename. Then click the green Publish button.
To Share Your Video
- Allow ample time for the video to show up in the My Uploads section of the Your Account page.
- Watch the Managing Video Content in Hosting video tutorial to learn how to get the URL for your video to share with your instructor and peers.