STUDENT SCREENCAST VIDEOS: A NEW WAY TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENT, UNLEASH CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNICATE UNDERSTANDING

Student created screencast videos are a unique way of having students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of complex topics while also establish accountability in an online learning environment. Screencast technology can be used to have students communicate knowledge, demonstrate mastery, and inspire creativity. The assignment is a screencast video but how the students accomplish the assignment is left open, enabling them to use a variety of tools to design and create their videos. The activity requires students to, not only learn new scientific information and technology, but to also present and disseminate the information digitally. Students are hesitant at first, but become confident, competent, and creative as they progress through the semester. Their final activity is to compile all their videos, reflect on what they have learned, and synthesize it into a Google Site. The students find the videos and the Google Site activity rewarding because it enables them to tie the entire semester together and provides an avenue for them to showcase their work.