Learning How to Capture Your Screen

Last Updated on: October 31, 2026

Jeff Miller talks about screen capturing

Jeff Miller starts day four of the University of Wyoming Technology Bootcamp with a presentation on video production and screen capture.

Video production and screen capture have much in common in terms of their ability to engage students. What advantages do they present? Ho might they be used? What options are there for faculty who are interested?

Exploring Video Production and Screen Capture

Jeff started out his presentation talking about the history of video production for Outreach. Video production is about recording moving images. It can be called screen capture, webcam, streaming video, animation, etc. He showed off a quick video of a screencast showing how to embed a YouTube video into an eCompanion course shell.

You can find video resources everywhere and use them in your courses.

Jeff shared a couple of great quotes about the importance of video in instruction. One quote was from 1941. A video is visual. It has narrative, portable, flexible, and conserves classroom time.

Designing Short Videos for Learning

Jeff recommends keeping the video short and modular so that you add and delete videos based on your needs. By flipping instruction, your presentations will be shorter and give you more time in the classroom for interaction. You can explain some things better with video. Enhance videos by adding panning, zooming, and markup. It is a great tool for showing a process and emailing a student.

With a webcam, you can connect with your students, record the session, and share it back out. Lecture capture is another great idea for using video. Lesson feedback, students projects, and other possibilities are a great use of video.

Recording Lectures and Creating Your Own Videos

At one time, you needed others to help create a video. It is now easy enough to do yourself.

For the University of Wyoming, we have some WyoCast rooms to capture lectures. Students use lecture captures for review. It is very useful for athletes who may miss class. You can also use a video recorder to capture your course.

It is possible to screen films through Swank at a cost.

Final words: Video is easy and useful.