Screencasting involves using special software designed to record the actions occurring on a person’s computer screen. The resulting screen capture is saved in a video format and shared with others on the web. (Video can also be distributed in other ways.) Screen capture videos are often used by instructors as tutorials to teach others how software functions or how to perform a task on a computer. Advanced screencasting software allows a creator to edit captured video, include or add audio such as voice narration or music, include quizzes, and add callouts or other graphics to the final video. Screencast videos are often shared online via blogs, video sharing web sites, private networks, and traditional web sites.

A variety of screen capture software applications have been developed to allow for screencasting. Camtasia Studio, by a Michigan company TechSmith, is a robust application used by educators who create and design professional development for colleagues. Ambrosia Software, Inc. has a product available called Snapz that runs on Mac OS X. Adobe Captivate is a high-end, screen capture application.

Free or open source screen capture applications are also available for screencasters. Jing is a free application made by TechSmith that works on Mac or Windows operating systems. Wink is another application that can be downloaded for free and runs on Windows or Linux machines. CamStudio is a free, open source screen capture application for Windows. People who have computers with Windows operating system can also download and use a free Microsoft application named Windows Media Encoder. Screen-o-matic is a screen capture tool that you do not need to download because is runs through a web browser.
Depending upon how any given screen capture application is constructed, the resulting videos can be created in a variety of video file formats, including but not limited to streaming Flash video (SWF), Windows media Video (WMV), AVI, QuickTime or MPEG.

Helpful resources:

7 Things you should know about screencasting, Educause, March 2006 (pdf)
November Learning Screencasting web site