The Best Screencasting Tools for Classrooms

While it's only available on Chrome, out of everything we’ve looked at Screencastify offers the best balance of functionality and usability. Screencastify is an extremely polished experience; it’s so well designed that there’s not much you’ll need to get started. The developers have also done a great job of adding the core features most people would need without going overboard. They’ve also innovated, added unique things that set Screencastify apart. This is the case with the Submit feature. With Submit, teachers can generate a quick assignment and then share a URL to students. That link lets students hop right into a recording -- no sign in or account required. It’s super simple and efficiently stores all the recordings in Google Drive. It’s one of those tools that could become a core part of your classroom workflow. In terms of pricing, if you can deal with a 30-minute recording limit and one active assignment at a time you'll be fine. Beyond that, you'll need to pay. 

Screencast-O-Matic is the most full-featured platform on this list. With a full upgrade, you can record and edit videos as well as capture screenshots. It’s also available to just about anyone (Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Chromebook); although, unlike others on the list, it’s a software application, not a web-based extension. The tricky thing with Screencast-O-Matic is that it’s not as slick of an experience as Screencastify and to make use of the best-in-class video editor you’re going to need to do a lot of learning. (You also might need to fight through some frustration.) But once you come out the other end, you’ll have a set of tools that can make videos (not just raw screencasts) at a level of sophistication not possible with other screen recording tools. Note that the free plan caps recordings at 15 minutes, includes a watermark, and has a limited set of editing and creation features.

If you've got simple needs and just need to record basic screencasts, Vmaker is worth a look. The free version doesn't have a watermark and there aren't any recording limits. While you won't have drawing tools or much in the way of customization in this version, you can quickly and easily record a video (screen, webcam, or both screen and webcam) and then download or send it. And if you do find out you like Vmaker, you can upgrade to the paid version and get drawing tools, 4K video, and more.

What earns Loom recognition on this list is that other people can comment on and discuss the screen recordings (without needing an account).  The catch is that, with an Educator account, only teachers can record and share the recordings, so students won’t be creating. There are other consumer-focused accounts that allow multiple creators, however, if you’re fine with having students sign up for individual accounts. The Educator version is a great option, though, if you’re just looking to create lessons that might get students more engaged with the content.  

While not your typical screencasting tool, Explain Everything Whiteboard has everything students need to create lively presentations for iPad, Android, and Chrome and in a browser. Instead of recording their browser window, students start with a blank screen and pre-load slides, websites, images, videos, and more. Then, they record the slides as they speak, draw, and direct the presentation. The pre-loaded content guides students to plan ahead and arrange their thoughts before pressing the record button. It's a great model for building organizational skills. The editing features can take some getting used to, especially for younger students, but once they've had some time to practice, the potential for creation and collaboration is off the charts.

QuickTime Player comes bundled with MacOS, and it's a free download for Windows, so if you want a no-frills way to play and record audio and video, this is it. While there aren't many editing features embedded into the player, students can still record their screen or record through their webcam. Editing is limited to clipping, trimming, and rotating, but QuickTime Player gets the job done quickly.

If your goal is to give students a platform for creating expert videos, Camtasia is one to watch. The particularly powerful video editor lets students add animations, sound effects, and even their own quizzes. It's not as easy to use as most other options, and there's only a paid version, but it may give your advanced students the perfect place to demonstrate their talents.