Introduction to Screencast-o-Matic, a screen recording or screen casting web-based tool to enhance Judaic instruction and the mentoring or training of pre-service and in-service Judaic educators

When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices, and demonstrate how these best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The combination of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online learning is called blended learning. In this section of the blog we will describe how the internet can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will begin our discussion on how  students in a Judaic Studies blended learning classroom can use Screencast-o-Matic to enhance learning. 

Assumption: The teacher or mentor teacher has a interactive white board (i.e. SMART Board, Promethean, etc.), a Tablet PC (also called a Slate or Blade), a computer presenter or computer with internet access attached to an LCD projector in the classroom. It would be ideal if students or mentees had access to their own laptop computers or Ipads as well.

Note: Although Screencast-o-Matic can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, it can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is a CoP you might want to join. 

Note: Screencast-o-Matic can also be used in a face to face classroom.

What is Screencast-o-Matic?

Screencast-o-Matic is a screen recording or screen casting web-based tool that can be used to promote learning in a Judaic Studies blended learning classroom and for the mentoring or training of pre-service and in-service Judaic educators.

Where is  Screencast-o-Matic  located on the web?

http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/

Where can you find helpful  tutorials on how to use Screencast-o-Matic?

Click on the links below for tutorials on Screencast-o-Matic:

• http://www.viddix.com/watch/4cee01cf99d03/screenomatic/
• http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/
• http://beyond-school.org/2007/08/17/using-screencast-o-matic-to-deliver-ap-literature-lessons/
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4rk5ACdGk4&feature=related
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylPCMtW12EAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSYAB-8fnm

On the next post we will share examples of how Screencast-o-Matic can be used to promote learning.