Reviews
• Wireless Graphics Tablet •
Similar to the USB Graphics Tablets, the Wirless Graphics Tablets allow much more freedom if used in a classroom. These connect to your computer or laptop through a blue-tooth connection. Although they are much more expensive, they are well worth the cost.
I recently purchased a used Graphire Wireless Graphics Tablet on eBay for $50. This particular model sells for $225 new.
Examples of Wireless Graphics Tablets include:
- Wacom Graphire Wireless Graphics Tablet ($225 @ Amazon.com)
- Mimio Wireless Pad (Regular Price $459, but can be found for $375 for educational pricing)
- Hitachi StarBoard BT-2G Wirless Tablet ($310 @ Provantage.com)
• USB Graphics Tablets •
A USB Graphics Tablet is a graphics tablet that plugs directly into a USB port on your computer or laptop. The major benefit of a USB Graphics Tables is the price. You can buy these as cheap as $20 or as expensive as $550. For vodcasting, a $40 – $60 tablet works perfectly.
Examples of USB Graphics Tablets include:
- Genius G-Pen F350 Ultra Thin ($43 @ Walmart.com)
- Manhatten 8″ x 6″ Graphics Tablet ($70 @ Amazon.com)
- DigiPro 8″ x 6″ Graphics Tablet ($45 @ Geeks.com)
• Screencast-O-Matic •
Screencast-O-Matic is the original free and easy way to make a video recording of your screen (aka screencast) and upload it for free hosting all from your browser with no install!
Screencast-O-Matic uses a Java applet to record your screen. This means that your computer must have Java, however few computers do not. It is also web-based, so if you don’t have an internet connection, you cannot record your screen.
Screencast-O-Matic also has a Pro Version. This version allows you to edit your recordings, and it also allows a 1-hour recording time. The free version only allows 15-minute recording time. The pro version is only $5. This is very well worth spending $5.
• SnapKast •
SnapKast is a Windows desktop software solution for fast, easy MP3 audio and MPEG-4 video content creation and delivery.
SnapKast does not come with video editing software.
The regular price for SnapKast is $79.99, however the do offer a 30% educator discount for $55.99. Click HERE for educational pricing.
• CamStudio •
CamStudio is an Open Source solution to screencasting software. Open source means it is free.
CamStudio is able to record all screen and audio activity on your computer and create industry-standard AVI video files and using its built-in SWF Producer can turn those AVIs into lean, mean, bandwidth-friendly Streaming Flash videos (SWFs).
CamStudio does not come with any video editing features.
I have not had much luck using CamStudio. It seems as though there are bugs in the software, and I couldn’t get it to work with Windows 7.
• Camtasia Studio •
Some call Camtasia Studio the world’s smartest screen recording software. Why? Because it adapts to your workflow, not the other way around. It has a plugin for PowerPoint, so recording from PowerPoint is seamless. All you do is click one button in the powerpoint and you are recording. TechSmith (maker of Camtasia) also has some great training videos on their website showing how to use the many features Camtasia Studio has to offer.
Camtasia Studio comes with video editing software, as well as the ability to create your videos in many different formats.
Camtasia Studio is truly the Cadillac of screencasting software. The regular price for Camtasia Studio is $299, however they have a special price for educators: $179.