Ready, Set, Action! Screencasts in the ELL Classroom.

What is a Screencast?
A screencast is basically a recording of whatever you are currently displaying on your computers desktop screen (so make sure your background is kid-friendly). You can make video tutorials such as how to find a certain file on your Moodle (or other LMS) or how to open up a Dropbox account or any other file or program. It's especially useful if you plan on using blended learning or to Flip your classroom since you will be able to use screencasting to record lectures or give students examples of how to solve problems.

What does it take, how do I make one?
In order to get started with screencasting you will need to download a screencasting program, you can download free trails for many of them and the prices after that are generally within a reasonable range. The one currently used by many educators is Camtasia Studio. It is both Mac and Window friendly so you shouldn't run into any issues there and it is relatively easy to use. You will need your computer (of course) and a good microphone (built in or external) for recording audio. Camtasia will record everything you do on your desktop and will also allow you to record audio, edit, and then upload your video. When your first download Camtasia it will give you a brief introduction to the product. At first it looks scary!
 But it is much easier to use than it looks. Some of the features include being able to pan and zoom on areas that you really want your students to pay attention to. After you have made your video there are lots of editing features where you can add animation or special effects. Then you simply choose to render your video.

Here is a short video I made as an example using the free trail, it only took me about 5 minutes to figure out the basics of everything:

The Hiragana chart I used in this video came from YesJapan! I use their website and book series to teach my daughter Japanese.

Where do I upload it?
When you use Camtasia it automatically gives you an option to upload to Youtube if that is what you are using otherwise you can save it as an MP4 for uploading onto your computer, iPad/iPod, or to put on a jump-drive for students to carry home with them to view later. You can also upload unto it your LMS or Wiki.

How do I use these in the classroom?
If you have read  any of my previous articles you will find numerious examples of how technology can (and should) be incorporated into the ELL classroom. For teachers of ELL students screencasting gives us an opportunity to create useful video's to illustrate grammar points, conjugations, listening practice, speaking practice (by having student repeat recordings for pronunciation and word familiarity).

Listening Accomplishments Grades 1 - 2 

L.1-2.4 Identify main points from spoken language (with and without visual support).

L.1-2.5Identify details from spoken language (with and without visual support).

Speaking Accomplishments Grades 1 -2 

S.1-2.8 Use logically connected language and discuss implied meanings.

S.1-2.9 Choose appropriate evidence, proofs or examples to support claims.
S.1-2.10 Express and defend a point of view using appropriate language and detail.
S.1-2.11 Use language to clarify, organize, agree and disagree

By creating a screencast about a curriculum topic, you can have your younger ELL students watch and listen. You can then make sure that they understood the materials by having a Q&A session with their peers and with you, the teacher. In this way you can evaluate both their listening and their speaking as well as checking that they understood the content and are ready to move on. 

Listening Accomplishments Grades 3 -12

L.6.1 Draw inferences, conclusions, predictions, generalizations (related to plot,character, setting, topic). 

Speaking Accomplishments Grades 3 -12

S.3 Provide detailed information on a relevant topic in a conversation.

S.4 Argue in favor of or against a particular relevant topic. 

Your older students might enjoy being able to make their own screencasts as parts of projects that they are interested in. You could easily assign students to write a script for a small historical play or perhaps create a news program where they might highlight events in the school and local community. You could give them some in class time to record and edit, a different group for each week for time, and then have them present it to the class. You could always invite some of their content teachers and the Principle to view their screencasts. 

I personally think that blended learning/flipped classrooms and the use of screecasts can be a wonderfully effective way to teach a class if properly managed. Students will not only be motivated by the idea of watching video's and interacting online but they will also appreciate having the teacher focus more on making sure they understood the materials and being able to take time answering questions during class rather than having the teacher simply standing in front of the class and 'telling' them what they need to know versus 'teaching' them what they should know.