Step 4: Choose a Screen Recorder

Factors to Consider 

When selecting a video recording/screen-casting software, users should consider:

  1. Budget.
  2. Necessary features.
  3. Computer specifications.

There are many different screen-casting programs to choose from, the costs of which, can range from free to hundreds of dollars. For the majority of applications, a simple and inexpensive (or free) program will suffice.

 

Screen-casting/Recording Software 

These are some commonly screen-casting software used in the California Community Colleges, but are not limited to these. You may want to check-in with your institution to see if there is screen-casting software available. Some institutions will purchase college-wide subscriptions for its faculty and staff. 

For Mac Users 

 

For PC & Mac Users 

  • Free: Use Zoom. Links to an external site. As part of the California Community College system and with an .edu account, sign-up for a free Zoom account to record your screen. 
  • Subscription Plan: Screencast-O-Matic Links to an external site. is available in both a free version and a paid version. Note that Screencast-O-Matic videos cannot be embedded into a Canvas page; however, the video can be posted to YouTube. YouTube videos can be embedded into Canvas, so students can focus on the learning and less on the navigation! 

 

Explore More!

3C Media Solutions hosts a comprehensive video playlist on Making Effective Instructional Videos. Links to an external site. From story boarding, script writing, screen-casting, video editing, creative commons, video editing, and applying captions.