Screencasting Chrome App: Easily Share Your Screen with Snagit

Ever want to share something you're doing on your computer?  You've seen videos like this and know they can be effective ways to learn and share.  You may even have thought about making one, but figured the time that it takes to produce something like this might not be worth it in the end.

Quick videos explaining a website or Google Doc can be an effective way communicate ideas to friends, with a class of students or to colleagues.

Screencasting has been around for a while now, but a new experimental option in the Chrome Snagit app makes sharing ideas easier--and you can try now for free.*  The only thing you need is a Chrome Browser.

The initial setup takes a few steps.  Once you've set things up, sharing anything you do on your computer is relatively quick and easy.  Your captures are ready to share to Google Drive or YouTube as soon as you finish your recording.

If you're ready to check it out, here are some steps to get you started:

From Chrome, download BOTH Snag It App AND Extension in Chrome App Store

Once installed find settings on the top right corner of the Chrome App

Tick box to Enable experimental features

Go back to the library and you will now find a "New Screen Recording"option to start your screencast

The first time you use this feature, you will have to enable screen capture.  The app will automatically explain a list of steps or you can do it yourself by typing chrome://flags in the address bar.

Now you're ready to record and share!  Sharing options appear after your video processes.

*Traditionally Snagit has come with cost, at least for now TechSmith doesn't mention cost for this in-Chrome feature.  If you are looking for a tool that allows for capturing outside of the browser and is free use (with limits) there are a number of good tools out there.  I've found Jing to be a good one.