How to Take Notes During Screencasts

If you're in a class that has a flipped-classroom approach where you have online content presented to you as your first exposure to the learning material or you are taking an online class, you're probably going to be watching a lot of screencasts. Screencasts have risen in popularity not only because of online learning but because of better student engagement and retention of the learning material presented (as opposed to textbook readings).

However, it can be confusing on what lessons to take from a screencast since it differs from a traditional lecture where you just have to write everything presented on a slide. Although the content can vary by class, the most effective way to use screencasts is by note-taking. You can write down the information if you're used to that note-taking style or can type out your notes if you are worried about time. Here are a few ways to take notes during screencasts to reap the benefits of this medium.

1. Use closed captions or a transcript

While watching your screencast, make sure to use closed captions or a transcript of the audio text so that you don't miss any important details while writing down information from the screencasts. A transcript is preferable to closed captions because you don't have to re-wind nearly as often to hear information that the instructor is talking about.

2. Prioritize definitions, processes, principles of a concept, and bolded terms

If you're not sure what to write down while watching a screencast, write down any definition or bolded term presented. You should also write down any processes that are explained in a screencast as well as the principles of a concept. For instance, if an instructor repeats the term "sustainability", defines the term, or bolds the term during the screencast, write down the term and the definition.

3. Write down step-by-step processes for mathematical and computational problems

If the screencast presents a practice problem involving calculations or running a computer program, it is best to follow that example. For a calculation problem, you should be writing down the steps.

For running a computer program (in case you are taking a computer science class), opening software such as Replit or Visual Studio Code and running the code presented in the practice problem will help you engage with the learning material presented in the screencast.

4. Write down jot notes for non-mathematical or computational problems

Many definitions and concepts presented in screencasts are often accompanied by an example. You do not need to write down the entire example if it doesn't involve calculations or computation. Writing down jot notes is sufficient.

For instance, while learning about intensive & extensive variables in chemistry, your teacher presents examples of those variables. You don't have to write down the reason why those variables are intensive or extensive since you can use the definitions of those terms to identify the reason they are intensive or extensive.

5. Write down diagrams or important visuals presented in the screencast.

Diagrams can be very important for summarizing or presenting. Venn diagrams, graphs, or other diagrams to keep track of can enhance your learning by presenting a visual way of processing the learning material.

6. Take advantage of the self-tests right after the screencasts

Depending on how your screencasts are structured, sometimes there will be self-tests to test your understanding and knowledge of the learning material presented in the screencast.

These tests also provide detailed explanations that justify the correct answer. Take notes of the information required to justify the correct answer that you might have missed during the screencast and add it to your set of notes.

Why Should You Take Notes?

You may be wondering why should write notes during screencasts since you can always come back to them at your convenience. For one thing, note-taking of any kind forces you to pay more attention to the learning material and therefore improves retention.

Furthermore, when studying for tests based on the screencasts, it is less time-intensive to review your notes taken during the screencast than to re-watch the screencast. Also, re-watching screencasts are the equivalent of re-reading a textbook, they are very passive ways of learning and fail to effectively combat the forgetting curve.

Conclusion

I hope that these tips will be very helpful with online learning! Do you guys take notes during screencasts? If so, how do you take notes during screencasts? Let me know in the comments below!