Anthony Bill
“Captivate”, a product from the Adobe(TM) suite, is a video screen capture software that records students’ actions on a computer as a video recording. The software operates in parallel and behind the primary software – a typical example is Microsoft(TM) Excel. Students are aware that Captivate is running, but they soon ignore its presence and this allows a natural recording of students’ use. The software includes a audio recorder; if students work in pairs and are encouraged to discuss their work the audio recording adds immensely to the richness of the data collected. The video recordings are easily exported to widely-used file formats such as AVI and MPEG, and this allows the video-clip to be used independently of Captivate. The files may then be analysed, using for example, N-Vivo, and edited, reproduced, transmitted, and displayed as needed. Practising teachers may find application of the software as an instructional tool. Teachers could create short instructional video for students that they can replay on-demand in computer laboratories. This has the potential to improve teaching practice by liberating the teacher from some repetitive classroom tasks. The round-table seeks to discuss other researchers’ use of screen capture technology as a data source. The presenter will demonstrate recordings made during class and small group interviews.