Tool #3—Screencast-O-Matic (Cheryl Hallowell)

Tool #3—Screencast-O-Matic

Cheryl Hallowell

    

Screencast-O-Matic (https://screencast-o-matic.com) is software used to record what is happening on the computer screen or video from the device’s camera. For teachers this has many applications. I used it in my classroom to make a short video for parents to show them a strategy for helping their children study math facts. Need help falling asleep? You can find it at http://hilltop19.blogspot.com/2016/03/strategy-for-math-facts.html

Features:

·      Easy to use

·      Free for some features, pay for cloud storage and longer video capabilities.

·      Can be saved to computer and uploaded and/or shared. 

Classroom Application:

·      Teachers can model expectations.

·      Teachers can use it to give instructions to absent students when written directions are not enough.

·      Lessons (short ones for the “free” service) can be recorded for reteaching and/or absent students.

·      Can be used to record student presentations to be shared or even assessed later.

Ranking:

·      Safety—4 The teacher is in charge of what student data is available.

·      Student Enjoyability—3 Students can be highly motivated to use this. Graphics will be as good as the teacher makes them.

·      Accessibility—4 This is easy to access at home or school though they will not be linked.

·      Feedback—1 There is not capability for feedback directly on this, but meaningful feedback can be given about what is recorded.

·      Higher Level Thinking—3 This depends on the students’ and teachers’ assignments while using the software.

Team 2 Early Elementary Rubric Applied to Screencast-O-Matic

	Does Not Meet the Expectations 1	Partially Meets the Expectations 2	Meets the Expectations 3	Exceeds the Expectations 4
Safety	*Student data can be readily accessed by anyone. *Students can receive or send messages to while using the tool. *Tool has ads or pop-ups.	*Student data cannot be easily accessed by others. *Students can send or receive message to others in the district while using tool. *Tool has ads or pop-ups.	*Student data is not accessible to outside individuals. *Students cannot receive or send messages while using the tool. *Tool has no ads or pop-ups.	*Student data (beyond first name and grade level) is not needed to use the tool. *Student data can only be accessed by invited individuals. *Tool has no ads or pop-ups.
Student Enjoyability	*Students are not motivated and engaged by this technology tool. *Poor graphics, poor entertainment value and the tool is not user friendly	*Students are motivated and engaged by parts of this technology tool. *O.K. graphics, some parts are entertaining and some parts are user friendly	*Students will be motivated and engaged to use this technology tool. *Great graphics, entertaining and user friendly	*Students will be highly motivated and engaged to use this technology tool. *Above and beyond graphics, entertaining and extremely user friendly
Accessibility	*Tool is likely to crash or close without warning. *Students are unable to find the tool without assistance. *Tool costs money to use.	*Students need assistance accessing tool (user name/password long or confusing). *Students need assistance following the directions for using the tool. *Tool is low cost or free.	*After appropriate instruction, students can access the tool independently. *Students can use the tool with little to no adult assistance. *Tool is free or low cost.	*Students can use the tool (app, site, or program) on different devices both at home and at school. *Tool is free or low cost.
Feedback (When Applicable)	*No feedback given. *No ability for teachers or peers to leave feedback.	*Irrelevant feedback given. *Limited ability for teachers or peers to leave feedback.	*Meaningful feedback available. *Ability for teachers and peers to leave feedback.	*Meaningful feedback available along with links to lessons/exercises to practice weak areas. *Ability for teachers and peers feedback.
Higher Level Thinking	*Communication tool has no clear goal that encourages students to use any of Bloom's skills beyond the first level (remember).	*Communication tool has a goal that encourages students to use at least one of Bloom's skills (remember and understand).	*Communication tool has specific goal and one or more supporting objectives that encourage students to use many of Bloom's skills, including evaluate and analyze).	*Communication tool has clearly defined goals and several supporting objectives that encourage students to use many of Bloom's skills, including create.