Topics Map > Ed Tech Tools > Video Tools
Software options for creating a narrated screen capture presentation
This tutorial provides technical steps for creating a narrated screen capture presentation and uploading to My Media in Canvas.
Screen capture tools will record any action occurring on your computer screen, including your mouse movements, text input, or shifts between browser windows. These tools can also record audio narration. For instructors who wish to deliver a narrated screen capture presentation, there are a several options available based on your need and experience level.
Kaltura Capture
Kaltura Capture is a screen, webcam, and audio recorder that is comparable to other software like TechSmith’s Camtasia and Snagit. However, the advantage of Kaltura Capture over other tools is that Kaltura Capture is integrated with Canvas. While the recording happens on your local computer, once completed, the video automatically uploads to your My Media account in Canvas. Because the video is automatically uploaded to My Media it is very easy to add the video to your Canvas course site. Finally, Kaltura Capture is supported by the institution so there's technical assistance available through CETL. A tutorial to create a screen recording using Kaltura Capture through My Media in Canvas can be found here: https://kb.uwm.edu/104814.
Camtasia
Kaltura Capture and many of the options listed below have limited editing capabilities. If you'd like to edit your presentation before publishing to your students, or if you think you'd like to alter your presentation in the future, you may consider purchasing TechSmith's Camtasia at an educational discount directly through the Techsmith store: https://www.techsmith.com/education.html. Camtasia offers a rich set of recording and editing options, which means you have more flexibility in creating a polished presentation. Techsmith has created a wide range of video tutorials that help make learning to use Camtasia easy: https://www.techsmith.com/tutorial-camtasia.html. Camtaisa is strongly recommended if you are willing or able to spend a small amount on software.
Once you create your screen capture, you can use the Share feature and save the presentation as a Local File... using these instructions: https://www.techsmith.com/tutorial-camtasia-produce-share.html. This will save the video to your desktop. IMPORTANT: Once the video is created, upload the file to My Media, which is a video distribution tool in Canvas, using these instructions: https://kb.uwm.edu/96088.
Note: In order to use Camtasia, you’ll need to install the software on your computer, which means you’ll need administrative access. If you don’t have administrative access to your computer, work with your departmental IT office, or you may consider using Kaltura Capture, which is described above.
Snagit
Like Camtasia, Snagit is screen capturing tool made by Techsmith. Although it has a simpler interface and limited editing capabilities. One of the advantages of Snagit is that it also create screenshot images that can be annotated with arrow and numbers. This provides a flexible tool for both still image and video captures. Like Camtasia, Snagit can be purchased at an educational discount directly through the Techsmith store: https://www.techsmith.com/education.html.
TechSmith has great training tutorials. Here’s a link for how to create a screen capture video: https://www.techsmith.com/tutorial-snagit-how-to-capture-video.html
Once you create your screen capture, you can [Share] the presentation as a video [File], using these instructions: https://www.techsmith.com/tutorial-snagit-share.html This will save the video to your desktop. Once the video is created, upload the file to My Media, which is a video distribution tool in Canvas, using these instructions: https://kb.uwm.edu/96088.
Note: In order to use Snagit, you’ll need to install the software on your computer, which means you’ll need administrative access. If you don’t have administrative access to your computer, work with your departmental IT office, or you may consider using Kaltura Capture, which is described above.
QuickTime for Mac
If you are using a Mac, you can use QuickTime. While CETL didn’t create this, here is a well done video on recording your screen with QuickTime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLyPrblmPp4 You’ll need to export the presentation as a video file and then upload that video file to My Media through a Page in Canvas, using these instructions: https://kb.uwm.edu/96088.
Screencast-o-matic
Screencast-o-matic is available for both Mac and PC and has streamlined feature set. You can use the free version of Screencast-o-matic: https://screencast-o-matic.com/screen-recorder The free version has a 15 minute limit on recordings. It also has a Screencast-o-matic watermark on the bottom left side of the recording. If you need to record presentations longer than 15 minutes, or would prefer to remove the watermark and a license can be purchased here: https://screencast-o-matic.com/plans.
Here’s a tutorial on saving the Screencast-o-matic video as an .mp4: https://screencast-o-matic.com/tutorial/save-as-a-video-file/. Once the presentation is exported as a video file, upload the video file to My Media through a Page in Canvas, using these instructions: https://kb.uwm.edu/96088.
Note: In order to use Screencast-o-matic, you’ll need to install the software on your computer, which means you’ll need administrative access. If you don’t have administrative access to your computer, work with your departmental IT office, or you may consider using Kaltura Capture, which is described above.
If you need additional information or assistance with making a decision about the best tool for your needs, please contact CETL.