Screencastify in the Classroom

If you're anything like me, then you might wonder about tech resources that you could incorporate into the classroom. With so many different apps out there, it's hard to know which ones to choose. One app that I would recommend is Screencastify. Screencastify is a program that allows you to record your desktop screen, or make a "screencast," that could then be used as a digital lesson. Read below to find out ways to incorporate this tool into your classroom and to see a sample a screencast.

Ways to Use

Screencastify can be incorporated in your classroom in various ways. For one, if you are going to be out of the classroom, you can record a digital lesson ahead of time to send to your students. You can send it out through email or Google Classroom and when students are in class they can listen to your narrated lesson along with watching the steps you provide from your recorded screen. Lessons can be digital files that students can then access, or they can even be graphic organizers that you would like to provide specific steps for students to follow.

Another way Screencastify can be utilized it to provide differentiation for students during class. These digital lessons can provide individualized instruction similar to what you give in guided small groups. The plus, however, is that the instruction can be delivered simultaneously. For example, if you pre-record two versions of a digital lesson, you can then choose select groups of students to be assigned to each lesson. This can enhance your teaching by saving instructional time which can be allocated to different tasks.

Sample Lesson

Here are samples of digital lessons that I created using Screencastify. The population that they are intended for are Polish English Learners (ELs) who are in 2nd grade. The first version of the lesson is for newcomers, students who have been in America for less than a year. The lesson include complete translations from English to Polish to provide language support and the material is differentiated to support the needs of students with a low language proficiency.

Version 1

The second lesson is also intended for Polish ELs, however these students have been born in the country so they need minimal language support. These students however are struggling learners, so the instructions and materials provided are geared towards below-level performing 2nd grade students.

Version 2

Please check these lessons out and tell me what you think below!