Screencast-o-Matic
INTRODUCTION
Screencast-o-Matic is a program that lets you record videos and take screen shots. You can add captions, overlays and more features if you purchase the Deluxe version, which is very reasonable for educators (as of writing this, it's $1/month if you pay for the 36-month plan). You can also turn your slideshow presentations into a video, post to YouTube, to Screencast-o-Matic's space or download to your computer. I highly recommend this versatile program. Stay tuned for a comparison to Screencastify, which is also excellent, but doesn't do captions.
Getting Started
Go to https://screencast-o-matic.com/ and register. You can use the free account or upgrade.
Watch tutorials at https://screencast-o-matic.com/tutorials
I recommend Welcome to Screencast-O-Matic for seeing an overview, and if you've upgraded to the Deluxe version, you can watch Take Advantage of Deluxe Features.
Launch Recorder
The first time you use the program, you will be prompted to download and install the Recorder.
Click to launch.
Choose recording options:
Screen, Webcam or Both
The free version allows 15-minute recordings. Upgrade for unlimited lengths.
Area: drag and resize to record any part of your screen or choose full-screen or standard sizes. You can also drag around the webcam image, if you've chosen to use that.
Size: Screencast-O-Matic recommends recording at 720p for uploading.
Narration - choose your microphone
Computer Audio - premium feature
Preferences -
Highlight cursor colour
Click Record to capture any of the activity within your frame.
Use the controls at the bottom to pause, resume or stop your recording.
Trim the start and end of your video using sliders.
Add royalty-free music, if desired.
Save your Video
You can save your video to your computer, upload to Screencast-O-Matic or upload to YouTube.
Save to your Computer
The default for saving is as an MP4. You can also save as AVI, FLV, or GIF.
Filename - name your video
Folder - saves to your Desktop unless you specify a new folder.
Remove the cursor or show it without any highlighting.
Open Captions - add English captions (or a few alternatives).
Quality: increase or decrease the quality, depending upon how fast you want it to be processed (encloded).
Click PUBLISH.
Afterwards you can play the video, browse to the folder or copy a video path.
You can also find links again by clicking on the History icon.
Upload to Screencast-O-Matic
Upload to Screencast-O-Matic
If you upgrade, you can also upload to Vimeo, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
Once you've saved your video, you can copy a link to the video or share directly to social media.
Video Editor
Import videos from your video library or phone or use your recorder to create a new video.
Combine recordings, add intros and outros.
Zoom
Add Text and Images
Animate overlays
Add transitions
Hide or highlight cursor
Blur sections
Add music from your library or royalty-free tracks, or edit music, narration, and computer sound
Add or replace your voice
Use the script tool to write a script for your recording and narration.
Add captions by using speech-to-text, uploading a text file, or typing.
Screencast-o-Matic Deluxe Version Overview - Richard Byrne
Screencast-O-Matic Tutorial from Technology for Teachers and Students
Tutorial Record & Edit Videos - Brainy Girl - Kim Garnett