What Is Screencasting? Uses, Examples, and Benefits

What is a screencast?

A screencast is a digital video recording of your computer screen and usually includes audio narration.

Common examples of screencasts are step-by-step tutorials, training videos, video lessons, and recorded presentations.

Screencasting is the perfect solution for repeat questions at the office. Just send a video instead of answering the same question over and over again.

Screencasts can also be called “screen capture video” or “screen recording” and are a great way to teach or share ideas with your team or customers.

A major benefit of screencasting is that viewers can watch the screencast at a time when it’s best for them because learning doesn’t always take place in an academic setting. You can answer their questions on your own time, and they can get those answers when they have time. Videos are a win-win solution.

Additionally, viewers can absorb the information at their own pace by pausing and rewatching portions. A 2024 Camtasia study found that 83% of people prefer to consume instructional or informational content by watching a video.

Screencasts add a personal touch to your content in ways that other methods simply cannot.

Key Takeaways

• It can save time at work and help people learn at their own pace in the classroom.
• Screencasting means recording your screen, usually with narration.
• It works well for tutorials, training videos, lessons, presentations, and feedback.
• Viewers can watch on their own schedule, pause when needed, and replay key moments.

5 Ways screencasting can make you more productive at work today

1. Revitalize your onboarding

Getting the new person up to speed can be a time-consuming process.

You’re not only trying to get your job done, but you’re also having to explain it every little step of the way. You feel like you’re on the spot (which you are), and it can be overwhelming. Take the pressure off you and record your screen instead.

With screencasting, you don’t have to continually start and stop to answer questions. This allows you to focus on the material. The new hire can start, stop, and re-watch the screencast as many times as they need. Nobody worries about interrupting a video recording!

Instead of in-person onboarding, create a screencast, which you both can refer to again later. Screencasting allows you to train your new hires effectively and free up your time. 

2. Make a basic tutorial

How many times a day do you have to answer the same question?

Need to show your screen?

Skip the downloads. Use Camtasia online to record your screen, camera, and microphone right in your browser for free. Start Recording

Camtasia online screen recorder interface showing layout options, recording controls, and a preview of a screen recording with a presenter’s camera feed overlay.

5 Ways to Use Screencasting at Work and in the Classroom

1. Revitalize your onboarding

Getting the new person up to speed can be a time-consuming process.

You’re not only trying to get your job done, but you’re also having to explain it every little step of the way. You feel like you’re on the spot (which you are), and it can be overwhelming. Take the pressure off you and record your screen instead.

With screencasting, you don’t have to continually start and stop to answer questions. This allows you to focus on the material. The new hire can start, stop, and re-watch the screencast as many times as they need. Nobody worries about interrupting a video recording!

Instead of in-person onboarding, create a screencast, which you both can refer to again later. Screencasting allows you to train your new hires effectively and free up your time.

2. Make a basic tutorial

How many times a day do you have to answer the same question?

• “How do I reconnect to the printer?”
• “What is the best way to input the data?”
• “How do I access those Q4 files again?”

You’ve answered the question countless times, and by now your response is totally autopilot.

Capture the process once by creating instructional video screencasts that leave a lasting impression. With Camtasia’s Screencast integration, you can even create a collection of videos so your team has easy access to them.

What are you waiting for? Start recording those instructional videos today!

3. Use screencasting in your classroom or school

You may be wondering why you would want to capture a screenshot or record a video of your screen. The short answer is that it can help you communicate with more clarity and impact than you can with written words alone.

Student watching a video on their computer.

Screencast ideas for your classroom:

• Make a video to help your substitute teacher if you have to miss class.
• Record procedures and answer common questions.
• Give students audio-visual feedback (the next best thing to a 1:1 conversation).
• Record lessons that students can access anytime, anywhere.

4. Make a software or product demo

Hear us out: show off your product by actually showing off your product!

Did you ever consider that explainer videos, walkthroughs, tutorials, and helpful how-to videos all start with a solid product demo strategy? These videos also make for awesome marketing opportunities to show (and not just tell!) the value of your product.

Oftentimes potential purchasers need to feel what the experience is going to be like before they commit.

However, by viewing a screencast, they are demonstrating real interest in your product and possibly an intent to purchase.

A product demo video is a powerful tool that keeps visitors engaged on your website and interested in your product.

You can even create a YouTube video of your product demo to share it with a larger audience. screencast, they are demonstrating real interest in your product and possibly an intent to purchase.

5. Provide clear feedback

Sometimes the best way to provide clear, concise feedback is to talk it out.

Yet what if the person needing feedback is in a different location? Or a different time zone?

Screencasting is a solution that helps bridge the gaps for today’s globally connected workforce. A major part of providing feedback isn’t what you say, but how you say it. Context is everything when giving constructive critique.

Recording a screencast allows the person on the other end to actually hear your voice and provides important context to your words. So the next time a webpage, PDF, or video edit is sent to you for feedback, consider dropping the red pen and recording a screencast instead!

Now, you’re ready to get started!

What is the best screencast software to start with?

When you start screencasting, you want to make sure you have screen recording software that is simple to use but flexible enough to take on larger projects down the road. Look for a screen recorder with a built-in video editor. This will allow you to easily edit video and audio.

Camtasia has the tool for you! Camtasia online is built for anyone who needs to make any kind of screencast video, without downloads.

FAQs

What is screencasting?

Screencasting means recording what is on your computer screen, usually with audio narration. It is a simple way to teach a process, answer a question, or show someone exactly what you see. People often use screencasts for tutorials, training videos, lessons, and recorded presentations.

What are common examples of a screencast?

Common screencast examples include step-by-step tutorials, training videos, video lessons, and recorded presentations. A screencast can also be a product demo that shows how software works. Teams also use screencasts to give clear feedback on webpages, PDFs, and video edits.

How can screencasting save time?

Screencasting saves time because you can record an explanation once and share it whenever the same question comes up. Viewers can watch when it works for them, pause the video, and replay key parts as needed. That makes screencasts useful for onboarding, tutorials, and asynchronous communication.

What should beginners look for in screencast software?

Beginners should look for screen recording software that is simple to use and flexible enough to handle bigger projects later. A built-in video editor helps because it makes it easier to edit video and audio. This page recommends Camtasia online as a place to start.