Screen Captures for Lesson Support

Key_Screencast Demo.pdf

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Providing students references for many tasks can be helpful. In my case, I have students produce print files for mounting their work and trim marks help when the file is smaller than page size. Otherwise, they have a difficult time trying to trim to the right size after they print to a letter size page and need a 6x6in square, especially for online classes.

The first two questions to answer when making a reference file are: “what to say?” and “how to share it?”. The making trim marks was already stated, and I will use a PDF since that is common among design students. A PowerPoint file may be a good option in other fields, such as business classes.

Once this is decided, work out your steps and start making screen shots that you will use. There are numerous apps for screen captures, but I find the snipping tool built into Windows to be very useful. If I did not already have editing software, then I might look at other options to download. I see little benefit to installing numerous apps for duplicate functions. It tends to slow a computer if they run I the background and some are not entirely safe if they collect data. The Snipping Tool is very easy to use. The first thing I did was change my preferences so that the tool starts every time I hit the Print Screen button on my keyboard. At that point, it freezes my screen so even drop-down menus still show while I am able to select the area I want to keep by simply dragging over it. Then I click the button showing it copied, and from there, I can go to the Snipping Tool dialogue or paste into another software program. I just used the Snipping Tool box to save the image for placing into the presentation.

Once you have your steps and walk through them collecting screen shots, then we can put them together into the presentation file. In this example, I used Adobe InDesign to put it together and create the final PDF. As you work:

a) Be sure your steps are very clear, in other words, do not assume they know something that may be implied.

b) Be sure the images show everything that you mention

c) Be sure each step has clear markings that stand out from the screen capture.

d) Be consistent in your colors and type to show what the steps are in the screen captures.

Once you have everything put together, run a spellcheck, and save the file for distribution. The PDF example in this case is attached here.