Quick Thoughts on Technology, Education and Camtasia Studio

A few weeks ago I posted about TechSmith's Camtasia Studio and how valuable I think it can be in the classroom and in educational settings. My main message was for students and I hoped to convey to them that they hold great power in how classes are run. I know at Oakland we always fill out teacher evaluation forms. One of the questions is always about whether the professor used visual aids effectively or what suggestions you might have. I know everyone is always trying to get out of there but I'm always one of the last as I take those evaluations seriously. Even though I most likely won't benefit directly from any changes I know I may be able to help the experience for incoming students and that's important to me.

This past year I think the biology department may get a few surprises because in the recommendation area I wrote suggestions like downloadable PowerPoints, audio and video recording of lectures, and downloadable lectures. Tablet PCs and Camtasia Studio were two topics I feel I helped introduce. My hope is they will look it up and discover what I was talking about. I learned about Camtasia Studio very late in the semester so I wasn't able to mention that particular product until the end but I have one more semester to share my thoughts and possibly leave my mark.

I know I single handily contributed to few Tablet PC purchases from students in the biology department this past year and I know as more students see them in action their mysterious inking capabilities will no longer create puzzled looks but instead more will cry out "I need one of those!" Creating that initial spark of interest is often the most difficult part but technologies such as these will eventually sell themselves.

Retreating back to those initial Camtasia Studio thoughs I would like to point to a terrific screencast about the education section on the TechSmith site. In that first post I was only able to talk about a few of the features that make Camtasia Studio so great for the classroom. Their website offers so many valuable resources that if your at all interested you should watch the screencast. From the screencast you'll really have a much greater appreciation for all the resources that are available.

I'll post more thoughts along the way but they already have a terrific collection of projects, sample videos, tutorials, stories, and news that offer more resources than I ever could! While you're there make sure to sign of for the TechSmith education newsletter (Yes TechSmith has a newsletter devoted solely to education) so you can stay up to date on the latest news, trends and stories.

posted by Jason Dorko at 1:43 PM 0 comments links to this post