Enhancing elearning with screencasts and written cues

A screencast is a digital recording of a computer screen’s output, often accompanied by audio narration. A screencast captures everything on the screen, from cursor movements to software interactions. This creates a visual and auditory record of a task or presentation. When used for elearning, screencasts are enhanced with written cues. Videos allow learners to replay, rewind, and fast forward to suit their learning needs. Visual and auditory cues in the video support the content, drawing the learner’s attention to key concepts. For auditory learners, this is compelling learning. This approach creates an engaging elearning experience that caters to various learning preferences. With learner needs addressed, this elearning experience is an effective method for delivering educational content.

Written cues in elearning

Written cues used in elearning are text-based annotations, instructions, or highlights added to videos to guide learners through the content. They act as scaffolding, providing structure and support as learners build new knowledge and skills. These cues ensure that learners can follow along and grasp complex concepts effectively. By clarifying the learning material, written cues boost retention and understanding, making the learning process more efficient and engaging. This approach not only aids in comprehension but also caters to different learning preferences, enhancing the overall screencast elearning experience with visual cues in elearning.

The need for scaffolding in elearning

Scaffolding in learning refers to the educational technique of providing support to learners as they develop new skills and knowledge. Scaffolding is gradually removed as learners become more proficient. In the context of elearning, scaffolding can take the form of visual and written cues in videos, which help structure the content and guide learners through complex concepts. By breaking down information into manageable chunks and offering timely assistance, scaffolding ensures learners can follow along, understand the material, and retain knowledge more effectively, leading to a more engaging and efficient learning experience.

Screencast tools and technology 

1. Camtasia — is a comprehensive tool that allows users to create professional-quality screencasts. Its built-in features allow users to add text, annotations, and callouts directly onto the video, making it ideal for creating detailed written cues.
2. Loom — is a user-friendly tool for quick and easy video creation. It allows you to add text and comments directly to the video during editing, making it suitable for team collaboration and business presentations.
3. Snagit — is a versatile screen capture and recording tool that allows users to add annotations, text, and other visual elements directly to captured images and videos. This makes it helpful in creating tutorials with written cues.
4. OBS Studio — is a free, open-source software for video recording and live streaming that supports adding text and graphic overlays, allowing users to include written cues and other visual elements.

Example of written cues for elearning

Watch the video below to understand the educational value of this elearning experience. This example showcases simple screencasting with visual prompts, demonstrating how written cues can enhance learning by providing clear guidance and support.

If you want to learn more about incorporating written cues into your elearning content, contact elearning space. Our team is ready to help you create engaging and compelling elearning experiences tailored to your needs.