MEDIA TECHNOLOGY TOOL: SCREEN CAPTURE SOFTWARE
Snagit enables users to capture their screen or record video (Snagit, 2018). Snagit features screen capture, screen recording, and image editing. The tool is designed to be easy to use but is not free. The pricing is not a lot for one license but to have it on all student computers would probably require a school or district to purchase it, especially if Title funds are available. The expense could be justified especially for those classes that regularly incorporate creativity in their assessments. This is one tool that could be used for differentiation and to increase engagement in the classroom. Students could take basic screen shots and edit them to include any information that their imagination could create which meets the ISTE – Student Standard for both Empowered Learner and Creative Communicator (ISTE Student, 2016). Students would use their knowledge of technology to utilize the tool and manipulate the screen shots to create and customize the media. There is no limit to the ways that students could use this tool to demonstrate their learning.
According to EducationWorld.com, screen capture tools such as Snagit can be used in the classroom to upload images of homework to student Notebooks, make instructional tutorials, generate worksheets, and save time typing directions for students (Education World, 2018). These seem rather dull ways of using the tool, instead there are ways to increase student engagement using the tool. For example, using the tool to teach students new skills or present lecture material in videos increase student engagement and provide students the opportunity to view the material as many times as needed to understand what is being taught (Drumheller & Lawler, 2011).