How to Create a Mathcast
Tools of the trade
In order to create a mathcast, you will need:
- an input device such as an electronic whiteboard or graphics tablet
- annotation software
- a microphone
- screen recording software
I use a Hitachi StarBoard panel and Bluetooth tablet to create my mathcasts. It comes with annotation software that includes a screen recording feature, so no additional screen recording software is necessary. However, I usually use Camtasia Studio to record and produce my mathcasts because it will produce my movies in a variety of formats including for the video iPod.
We use some other optional tools such as webcams to produce picture-in-picture videos, digital camcorders to import video into our screencasts, external hard drives for video storage, and USB hubs so that we can actually hook all of these items to our computer all at once.
Recording a mathcast
Creating a mathcast is actually quite easy. I have created movies using interactive whiteboards such my Hitachi StarBoard or a SMART board which both have a built-in screen recording feature in their software. I have also created movies using a WACOM Graphire graphics tablet, annotation software such as NotateIt, and Camtasia Studio screen-recording software. The specific directions really depend on the type of technology and equipment you have, but here are the basics:
- Set up your math problem on the whiteboard.
- Open the screen recorder, then press “record”.
- Start talking and writing!
- When you have finished solving the problem, press “stop”.
There you have it, you’ve made a mathcast! :)
I have created a video that shows how to create a mathcast using the Hitachi Starboard:
Sharing your mathcasts
Mathcasts are meant to have an audience! You can share and distribute your mathcasts in a variety of ways:
- online using a free service such as YouTube
- online by hosting movies on your school district’s server
- on portable hard drives or flash drives
- burned onto CDs or DVDs
- as video podcasts (Camtasia Studio will easily produce mathcasts in this format)
More information
You can view my lesson plan in the August/September 2007 issue of EdTech Magazine. Our mathcast project will also be featured in Edutopia Magazine on September 5th!
- View presentations by Patty O’Flynn
- View articles and press releases about Patty O’Flynn’s classroom and mathcast project.
- View Mathcasts by Patty O’Flynn’s students
- Visit Math 24/7 Mathcast and ExamView wiki by Tim Fahlberg
Image collage created using Hitachi Starboard and images from stock.xchng and morguefile.com.
Questions or Comments?
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Conventional teaching using the whiteboard (or blackboard)are getting less effective. With the IT savvy students getting more and more, tech-stuff approach will be the better option. Here in your post, you have highlighted many alternatives, especially the mathcast. I have heard about this Camtasia software. I believe it is a very good product to have and use for teaching. Lessons can be repeated for the benefits of the students using this method. Great post!
Thank you very much! Camtasia is fantastic, but there are also some free alternatives out there now such as CamStudio and Jing. If money is tight, they are definitely worth a look.