Screencasting for software demonstrations and for instructional content
I recently added a map interface to Project Watershed's water quality database web site. The Project Watershed board member actually are supposed to use the web site to add water quality data after they sample a stream with students. In the past I would have used a number of screenshots and text to instruct them how to use the new site. Today I quickly made a narrated Quicktime movie of the web browser as a "screencast" to get the idea across. While not everyone could use the movie, I really think it is an effective tool.
If I was a teacher and wanted to do things right, I would export the movie in several different sizes for users with different connection speeds as well as a document with screenshots and text. I feel a little guilty...I'm not going to do it. The only reason I made the movie was because it was so easy. If I had to make the 30 or so screenshots and write the accompanying instructions, I wouldn't do it. I probably would opt to instruct the users of this site personally.
The activity made me think a little. While the movies I made were for the Project Watershed board members, I started to think how I could use the same process to make movies of "Google Earth" to illustrate the movement of water through the watershed. I see this on CNN often enough, so why couldn't I (or a teacher) make a similar movie?