In addition to the hardware that you'll need to record a voice over video lecture, you'll also require software. You will need to have software that does either/or or both of screen capturing and editing installed on your computer. It is highly recommended that you use a computer for this process, though some apps with tell you that you can edit right on them. Editing, especially, is a resource-intensive process and requires a good amount of RAM and a decent graphics card (see how much RAM do you need for video editing for more information).
You may choose which options work the best for you (and there are lots out there!), but our recommendations (with download links) are included below. You might also consider participating in our remote video editing process, wherein we can support some of the technical work of producing video content.
Software options to capture and edit your content:
- Screen Capture Software (for quick screen recordings and light trimming of recordings)
- Recording/Editing Software (for more in depth recording and editing (e.g. adding graphics) videos)
- Editing Software (for editing, used in combination with SnagIt or other screen recording tool)
- Drawing Software (Optional; used to capture handwriting or annotations using a stylus)
1. Screen Capture Software
1.1. Techsmith SnagIt (Institutionally Licensed)
Faculty and staff at U of T can download Techsmith's SnagIt without charge. TechSmith Snagit software can be used to record lecture audio synced with the on-screen display of your computer or laptop. It also offers simple editing tools that allow you to excerpt portions from the lecture. However, unlike Techsmith Camtasia, is does not offer a full editing suite.
TechSmith Snagit creates a local recording on your laptop or computer that can be manually uploaded to a streaming server (the U of T Libraries’ MyMedia service, Microsoft Stream, YouTube, etc.) or file sharing service (i.e., OneDrive) of your choice.
1.1.1. Download TechSmith Snagit
- Visit the Quercus Help > Lecture capture instructional guide (see specifically Get TechSmith Snagit). You do have to authenticate with your UTORid and password (see UTORid Management for assistance.)
2. Screen Recorder and Editing Software
2.1. Techsmith Camtasia Studio (Approx. $175)
Techsmith Camtasia is also available for a free trial. If you decide to purchase Camtasia studio, there is an educational discount available. Camtasia Studio is a light media editing suite and will allow you to screen cap your display, record audio and video, and provide editing tools for post production. It is not as complicated as professional grade editing suites (like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve) but it more than enough for you to produce high quality and professional educational content.
3. Editing Software
3.1. DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve has a free version of its software available for download. It mimics most of the functionality available in the industry-standard tool suite, Adobe Creative Cloud. The catch with this software is that it does require a very good graphics card and a computer with a lot of RAM to run effectively.
If you wanted to use DaVinci Resolve, you could use SnagIt to record your screen and then import that video capture into DaVinci for editing.
4. Drawing Software
4.1. Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote is a digital note-taking app that is part of the University's O365 license. It is available to you via this license for no charge. Unlike the other tools, this is a cloud-based option that allows you to share the content you are working on live. This means that you could share the link to your OneNote notebook to your synchronous session and have students see you developing content in real time (you can even enable it so that they can edit with you! Use this option strategically!). See 10 great ways in which OneNote earns its place in your classroom
4.1.1. How to Login to Microsoft OneNote
- Go to your O365 homepage and select OneNote from your list of apps.
- If OneNote is not visible, you might have to select on "All Apps" to expand your full options.
4.2. Sketchbook Pro
Sketchbook has gone free! This software has a lot of features that most drawing tools do not have (for example, importing images, layers, add ons, etc.). If Camtasia is the light version of Premiere Pro, then you might consider this the light version of Photoshop/Illustrator. This would be great for projects where you have some baseline content (diagrams, slides, etc.) where you'd like to add annotations or other graphics.
4.3. Smoothdraw
Another free option is Smoothdraw. Smoothdraw is well known because it is the software that is used to create the videos you see on Khan Academy. It is not the most modern looking tool but it works!
Don't forget! You can always get help setting up your recording process by contacting the by setting up a 1-1 consultation with the team at the FASE Education Technology Office.