What is screencast video?

It is a kind of instructional video created by recording the screen (computer, TV, etc.) in order to explain how software is used and show its features. Screencast videos are usually made with voiced narration. Those that do not have voiceover have subtitles. The screen recording shows how to start, how to do, and how to finish a particular work. In addition, it can be explained what all the features of the software are and how to use these features. General usage logic is explained by giving examples about them. If the use of all features will be explained through screencasts, it probably will not consist of just one video. It continues as a series in which similar features are collected in a video. This situation depends on the software/product. Almost many product/software related screencast videos can be found on the internet.


Advantages of screencast video

In face-to-face training, the trainer gives the training according to a certain order. If the learners do not practice during the training, the topics they learn will probably not be permanent. In addition, it may not be possible to re-learn the missed or forgotten subjects.

  • The part where Screencast differs is that people watching the video can pause, rewind or watch the video whenever they want. Besides, while watching the video, the learned part can be applied by pausing the video. This ensures that the software is learned permanently.
  • Face-to-face trainings cost more and may not be suitable for everyone. In screencast videos, one teaching video is prepared and made available to anyone who wishes. Anyone can benefit from this video at any time. It is less costly and learning according to personal calendars.

What is interactive screencast video?

The type of video in which screencast videos continue interactively is called interactive screencast video. Unlike normal screencast videos, the progress of the video is in the hands of the viewer / user. Different commands can be given to the viewer, depending on the editing of the interactive screencast video.


Why use to interactive screencast video?

Screencast videos can be stopped and resumed. It can be practiced when the video is stopped or finished. It is important to learn by practicing with screencast videos.


Learning by practicing in the video

In interactive screencast, the viewer can practice in the video. Thanks to the commands given to the viewer in the video, software features can be practiced with show-and-make. The features that can be learned with show-make vary according to the software. These features can be made to the viewer / participant with step by step interactive screencast video. Some of those;

  • If there are tabs in the interface of the software, clickable areas can be added to these tabs. Clicking on this area can open the relevant tab. The operations that can be done in the newly opened tab can be done interactively.
  • In order to enter the system of the software, the process of creating a record can be practiced step by step with interactive screencast. The viewer can be directed to the "Register" button, after clicking the button, the viewer can see the screen where the necessary information for registration is entered.
  • "User assignment process" that can be done in a LMS (Learning Management System) can be explained with all its steps.
  • A feature in the software can be activated or deactivated.

These examples can be diversified and detailed. Learning with interactive screencast video is a kind of simulation learning.


Focus on learning

Screencast video is very good at teaching software. However, the viewer may experience situations where they cannot focus while watching the video. The audience is forced to re-watch the parts that fail to focus. Or, although he is focused, he may not be able to instantly turn what he's watching into practice. In such cases, it would be advantageous to use interactive screencast video.


Permanent learning

Since interactive screencast video is interactive, it incorporates the user into the learning moment. Learning does not happen by watching or reading alone. Interactive screencast video and audience collaborate, and the audience practices throughout the learning. Learning through practice is more permanent than learning by monitoring + reading. In interactive screencast video, learning is provided by watching + reading + applying.


Adding questions

In addition, the audience can be asked questions about the subject in the interactive screencast video. After the viewer watches the video, questions can be added towards the end of the video to test what the viewer has learned.

After the tools of the software described in the interactive screencast video are explained, questions can be asked about these tools. For example; The feature of any tool can be explained, and this tool can be asked which one is. In response, it may be asked to find the tool on the interface and mark it.

In addition to this, other question types available in Cinema8 can also be used.


Steps to create interactive screencast video

The steps to create interactive screencast videos are simple. The important thing here is to determine and edit the video content.


Determination of video content

When determining the content of the video, you must first consider the scope of the subject. It is necessary to make a planning according to which topics the video content will cover.

  • If all information about the software product is desired to be explained, this should be done in order.
  • First of all, information should be given about what the product is for, why it should be used and its general features.
  • After doing this, the promotion of the product starts from the beginning level.
  • Stages such as installing software or logging into the system are explained.
  • Then, by introducing the interface of the software, it is mentioned which works will be done on which panel.
  • The main features and tools of the software should be explained.
  • Features and tools are grouped according to their similar functions and described in this order.

Designing the video

In this step, how the subjects to be told in the video will be conveyed in the video is set up. The intros, covers, outros of the videos, images, music and fonts to be used in the videos are determined at this stage. A template of the video is created.


Writing the video voiceover

After completing the editing, this step includes the preparation of the subject texts to be explained in the video. A subject expert can make the narration. It may not need text. However, it still needs to create a certain spoken language. In fact, this is a template creation.

If there will be no voiceover during the video recording and the video will be added in the post production phase, the speech text is needed to determine the duration of the video. When describing a vehicle, the description of the vehicle should remain on the screen according to the duration of the vocalization. It shouldn't be any shorter or longer than that.

Record of the screencast video


There are various programs with which you can shoot screencast videos. You can view the programs from this link.

There are a few points to be aware of while recording the video.

Usually, a brief explanation of what to do is given at the beginning of the video. Ideal in this section is that no action is taken early when the explanation is made. Because the important thing here is the explanation and the operations on the screen should not make viwers distracted. This should be taken into account when recording video. Therefore, the screen must be recorded for a certain period of time without any action.

The steps of the process should be understandable. That's why the processes should be done step by step and without speed. Otherwise, the viewer may miss some of the quick parts.

Whatever result is expected after completing the process, this video should be shown at the end. If you preparing a video about, "How do move an animated character's eyes?" You have to show the eye movements of the character at the end of the video.

After completing the video recording, save your work and export it out.

Post production of screencast videos

  • You can edit your exported screencast videos with video editing software.
  • Programs that allow you to import screencast videos usually offer you the possibility to edit the video. In this way, after completing your video recording, you can edit your video with the same program.
  • There may be unnecessary scenes / time between operations at the beginning, end of the video. These parts should be cut while the video is being edited in order not to keep the video long and not to detach the viewer from the video.
  • Intro can be added to the beginning of the video.
  • Outro can be added to the end of the video.
  • If there are specific steps of the process to be performed in the video, it can be stated that the relevant step has been passed before proceeding with that process. For this, one or two-second scenes like intro will be enough.
  • When the operation performed on a small part of the software interface is explained, this part should be zoomed. This application allows the transactions made to be seen and draws attention.
  • Signs, images, music, narration sounds, subtitles to be used on the video can be added at this stage.
  • After completing these processes, the edited video should be reviewed and if there are incorrect parts, the parts should be corrected.

Preparation of images, music and subtitle files to be used in Cinema8

Signs, images, music, narration sounds and subtitles to be used on the video do not have to be added during the editing phase of the video. These can be added in Cinema8 while making screen video interactive.


Making screencast video interactive with Cinema8

The printed screencast video is uploaded to Cinema8. After the video upload is complete, a project is created with the uploaded video. This project is an interactive screencast video. This project is opened in the editor and the desired interactions are added.


Elements that can be used when making screencast video interactive with Cinema8

Clickable area

Clickable area is among the most preferred elements when making screencast video interactive. You can edit your interactive screencast video by giving many commands to the clickable area. It enables operations such as button clicking, clicking on the tools on the interface, closing a window, switching tabs, logging in, in the video interactively.

How to make a button with Clickable area?

You can easily make interactive the login process.

While recording the screen, the "login" interface is recorded. The interface after clicking the "Login" button is the interface where the necessary information to login is entered. Now, how to make this step interactive with Cinema8?

A clickable area is placed in the area where the "Login in" button is on the stage where the "Login in" interface is located. In the properties tab of the clickable area, the "pause video" option should be selected in the "on start" field. This is because it pauses the video in the login scene so the viewer clicks. When the clickable area is clicked, the jump command is given to the xxx second of the video (the second of the scene in which the necessary information is entered for login). This is done by selecting "jump to this project" in the "on click" field. One more command must be added to the "On click" field. That is "play video". After completing all these processes, the changes made are saved. Thanks to these processes; When the video comes to the scene with the login button, it will stop and when the viewer clicks the button, it will jump to the stage with login information and the video will continue to flow.

To learn what can be done with the Clickable area, the Clickable Area Element page of the Cinema8 Articles can be examined.

Images

Images can be used in any desired design and purpose in Cinema8. If you want to draw attention to an area in the interactive screencast video, this area can be shown or marked with figures.

When using a feature, the steps that need to be explained can be enumerated. This numbering can be done by means of small images with numbers on them.
To learn what can be done with the image element, the Image Element page of the Cinema8 Articles can be examined.


Audio

Music and narration voiceovers can be added to the background of interactive screencast videos. This can be done easily with the Cinema8 Audio element. In addition, sound effects can be used according to the editing of the video. With the audio elements to be added to the interactive screencast video, sounds can be added without the need to edit the video.

To learn what can be done with the Audio element, the Image Element page of the Cinema8 Articles can be examined.

Jump to

The Jump to element can be used in Cinema8 by itself, as well as with almost in all elements. It allows to jump to another second of the interactive video or to any second of another interactive video. It is the main feature of interactive videos.

To learn what can be done with the Jump to element, the Jump to Element page of the Cinema8 Articles can be examined.

Chapter

Chapter plays an important role in training videos. It is very useful for videos that contain different parts. In such videos, Chapter shows what parts are in the video, except for the video editing. The audience can switch to the chapter they want by clicking the chapter menu on the screen at any time.

It is a useful element for those who want to make interactive screencast videos. If the features of different parts of the software are explained in the video, chpater can be used to facilitate the transition between sections. In this way, the audience can return to the episode they want, or if they do not want to watch the episodes they know, they can switch to other episodes.

To learn what can be done with the Chapter element, the Chapter Element page of the Cinema8 Articles can be examined.

Subtitles

Screencast videos are made by voice narration or subtitle narration. Videos using these two are also available. Subtitles can be easily added to interactive screencast video in Cinema8.

To learn what can be done with the Subtitle element, the Subtitle Element page of the Cinema8 Articles can be examined.

Lower Third

It is also known as lower third, kj band. In the previous chapters, it was mentioned about adding intro, outro and notifications to the interactive screencast video. These transactions are usually added at the post-production stage. In interactive videos produced with Cinema8, Lower third does not have to be added during post-production. This can be done easily by using the lower third element.

To learn what can be done with the lower third element, the Lower Third Element page of the Cinema8 Articles can be examined.

According to the editing of the video, other elements of Cinema8 can also be used in interactive screencast video. All Cinema8 elements and use cases can be accessed here.