Peer Review

ScreenChomp App for iPad

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Mar 4, 2013 by Teacher Education

Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: ScreenChomp is an iPad app that gives teachers and students the ability to record their voice and whiteboard drawings. Both teachers and students may use this tool to share ideas and respond to questions outside the traditional face-to-face classroom. Teachers may also use this tool for recording, sketching, and sharing ideas with colleagues. Users can import a background image from their iPad Photos or Dropbox. They can also take a photo directly within the app. Users can quickly switch between 3 writing pens, each one having a palate of 12 colors and 3 tip widths. Users can also selectively erase portions of their drawing or clear the entire the whiteboard at one time. Additionally, users can scroll down with a two-finger swipe while recording for additional whiteboard space. Recordings are stored on TechSmith’s ScreenChomp server. Users have the option of reviewing and naming their recording prior to uploading it. Links to recordings may be shared by email, Twitter, or copying and pasting the link into a blog post or website. Recordings (MP4 files) may also be downloaded to one’s personal device. ScreenChomp is a free app at the present time (February 2013).
Type of Material:: ScreenChomp is a presentation tool.
Recommended Uses:: Teachers may use ScreenChomp to flip a class or supplement instruction. Teachers may also use this app to assist students with homework. Students may use ScreenChomp to share their knowledge, ask a question, or assist a classmate with homework.
Technical Requirements:: iPad with iOS 5.1 or later, iPad app, WiFi connection, Adobe’s Flash Player is needed in order to view ScreenChomp recordings in a browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:: ScreenChomp videos created by the instructor give students the opportunity to view and review content outside face-to-face class sessions. Students with an iPad and the app can also share their knowledge with both the teacher and their classmates.
Target Student Population:: ScreenChomp may be used across disciplines and with a variety ages. It may be best suited for secondary (middle or high school) students and higher education.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Reviewing digital citizenship with students would lay a foundation for how they are to present themselves and interact with each other online.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: Content is generated by the user, both teachers and students. You are able to share the content and replay it.
Concerns:: None.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: Instructors may use ScreenChomp to flip their class, supplement their in-class instruction, and help students who are struggling with homework assignments. Instructors could also ask students to share their knowledge via a ScreenChomp recording. Students may also use the app to assist each other with homework. The app is easy to integrate into assignments and may by used to measure student learning outcomes. The whiteboard may be used by educators to create learning material and make available for students to review away from the classroom. Students may use the app to create their own tutorials or doodle ideas and share with their classmates
Concerns:: Users will want to keep in mind that anyone with the link to the ScreenChomp recording may view it.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: * ScreenChomp’s user interface is clean, intuitive, and fun. Being able to set and quickly switch between 3 different pens with their 12 colors and 3 widths can simplify the recording process. Having the ability to preview a recording prior to publishing it helps the user determine whether or not they want to keep that recording or try again. ScreenChomp also makes it easy to share recordings by email, Twitter, or simply copying the link. Additionally, having the option to download the recording is beneficial for users who may want to view the recording offline or archive it. * The “Why Chomp?” app tutorial is engaging and provides clear instruction about how this tool may be used. TechSmith has also done a great job of providing a clear way of giving feedback and viewing their FAQ.
Concerns:: May only be used on the iPad at this time. The link that you create must be shared through ScreenChomp.com or Facebook. If ScreenChomp is down you are unable to save what you have recorded. You will need a Facebook account to save to Facebook. Some students would benefit from an automatically generated transcript of the ScreenChomp recorded.

Other Issues and Comments:: To learn more about ScreenChomp’s licensing agreement, visit https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewEula?id=442415881 To learn more about TechSmith’s Privacy Policy, visit http://www.techsmith.com/privacy-policy.html The app was last updated November 2012. Prior to that, March 2012.
Creative Commons: