Screen recording refers to recording a computer screen, audio, and webcam video. Screen recording is suitable for instructional videos, demonstrating how to use software, narrating presentations, and illustrating different work phases. At HAMK, screen recording videos can be created with several different tools that are suitable for slightly different needs.

What is a screen recording video suitable for?

Use screen recording, for example, when you want to:

• make work instructions or a software user guide
• record a PowerPoint presentation with narration
• show step by step how a task is done
• comment verbally on content visible on the screen
• record web content, images, documents, or other digital material as part of teaching
• create a short video greeting or assignment feedback in Moodle

Where should you start?

Clipchamp, ScreenPal, and Kaltura Express Capture are easy tools for beginners. If you are creating a recording based solely on a slide presentation, PowerPoint is a practical choice. If the video will be published in Kaltura and you want to use features such as recognizing the structure of a PowerPoint presentation, Kaltura Capture is a good option. If you need many adjustment options, several capture sources, or precise control over audio sources, OBS is the most versatile tool.

ScreenPal

ScreenPal is well suited for screen recording videos, instructional videos, and clear software demonstrations. It can record the screen, webcam video, and audio, as well as perform basic editing, add text, and produce captions. One of its strengths is versatility: all the basic functions, from screen recording to finalizing the recording, are available in the same application.

ScreenPal is a good choice when:

• you want to create a screen recording video easily
• you need to include different elements, such as speech, camera video, captions, or annotations
• you want to finalize the video in the same program
• you want to use the Storyboard feature, which makes it possible to create screen recording videos in short sections and makes later editing easier when the content needs to be updated

ScreenPal is less suitable for:

• editing long videos, over 45 minutes
• correcting voice recordings

A ScreenPal license is requested through a HelpDesk ticket, after which the program is installed on your own computer. The program is available only for Windows workstations. See the instructions for installing and setting up the program:

Screenpal for screen recording, editing and producing captions

Please note that at HAMK, the ScreenPal application is used as a desktop version, not through a browser. This means that the screen recording tool, Record, is also opened from the desktop application. Instructions for screen recording with ScreenPal:

Record your screen and webcam.

Recorder drawing tools overview.

Microsoft Clipchamp

Clipchamp is an easy video editor that also includes screen and camera recording. It is well suited for creating short instructional and tutorial videos. Text, titles, audio, and captions can be added to the recording.

Clipchamp is a good choice when:

• you want to get started quickly
• you need a simple tool for recording the screen, audio, and camera
• you want to do quick editing in the same tool
• you store and/or publish the material in the M365 environment

Clipchamp is less suitable when:

• you need precise audio control
• you are creating a long or technically demanding screen recording

The Clipchamp application can be found on HAMK staff work computers. Windows users can find it through the operating system search field by searching for “Clipchamp”. Mac users can find it by logging in to their M365 account in a browser and looking for the application in the app menu. See Microsoft’s video tutorials for screen recording with Clipchamp:

How to create tutorial videos with screen recorder (Microsoft Clipchamp – youtube)

How to record your voice online (Microsoft Clipchamp – youtube)

PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a natural choice when the screen recording video is based on presentation slides. You can record the presentation slide by slide, add narration, and include webcam video if needed. PowerPoint can also be used to create a separate screen recording and embed it in the presentation.

PowerPoint is a good choice when:

• you are creating a video recording from a PowerPoint presentation
• you want to create a presentation video slide by slide
• you want the option to re-record an individual slide without redoing the entire video

PowerPoint is less suitable when:

• you need a long free-form screen recording without a slide-based structure
• you use several video sources or need a flexible visual layout

PowerPoint is available to all HAMK staff members as part of the M365 license. See Microsoft’s video tutorial on saving a PowerPoint presentation as a video:

How to record a slide show in Power Point (Microsoft Helps)

How to record your screen and embed in Power Point (Microsoft Helps)

Kaltura Express Capture

Kaltura Express Capture is a browser-based recording tool that allows you to create a quick screen or camera recording without installing a separate program. It is well suited for situations where you want to create a short video quickly and save it directly to the Kaltura publishing platform.

Express Capture is a good choice when:

• you create recordings directly for a Moodle course implementation or Kaltura MediaSpace
• you want to make a quick recording without installing a separate application
• you need a simple browser-based solution
• you want to upload the recording quickly to Kaltura or Kaltura-Moodle

Express Capture is less suitable when:

• you need more extensive settings or versatile post-processing
• you record many long or structurally complex videos
• you do not publish the video in Kaltura

Kaltura Express Capture is available to all staff members. The user account is created when the user logs in with SSO for the first time at kaltura.hamk.fi (Kaltura Media Space). With a temporary staff account, access to the tool is available only through Moodle (Learn).

See more information and an instructional video on using Kaltura Express Capture:

Screen recording in Kaltura.

Kaltura Capture

Kaltura Capture is a versatile option for teaching and presentation recordings. It can record the screen, audio, and webcam video, and PowerPoint presentations can automatically be divided into sections, or chapters. This makes later viewing easier in Kaltura or Moodle, as users can navigate the content more logically. A recording made with Kaltura Capture can be viewed accessibly so that the viewer can choose whether to watch the captured computer screen, the camera, or both at the same time.

Kaltura Capture is a good choice when:

• you want to record a screen recording video for teaching or guidance
• you use PowerPoint and want a slide-based structure to be visible in Kaltura
• you publish the video in Kaltura
• you want to use an accessible viewing function where you do not need to worry during the screen recording about where the camera appears on top of the presentation

Kaltura Capture is less suitable when:

• you only need a very quick basic recording
• you do not want to install a separate application

Kaltura Capture is available to all staff members. The user account is created when the user logs in with SSO for the first time at kaltura.hamk.fi  (Kaltura Media Space). With a temporary staff account, access to the tool is available only through Moodle (Learn).

Kaltura Capture asks the user to install the application on the computer when it is used for the first time in Moodle or Kaltura Media Space. After the application has been installed, it can also be used without opening Kaltura if the videos are intended to be recorded for another publishing platform.

See more information and an instructional video on using Kaltura Capture:

Screen recording in Kaltura.

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)

OBS is the most versatile of the programs in this article. It allows you to manage several video and audio sources, build presentations where the positions and sizes of visual sources change, adjust audio precisely, and use various filters. It is well suited for more advanced users.

OBS is a good choice when:

• you need several video and audio sources in the same recording
• you want to build different scenes and switch between them
• you want a high level of control over audio, video, and recording settings

OBS is less suitable when:

• you want a very easy first tool
• you only need a quick and simple screen recording

OBS is a free open-source program that can be downloaded to your work computer from Software Center. Learn more about setting up and using the program:

Open Broadcaster Software / OBS

Teams and Zoom

Teams and Zoom can record audio, video, and screen sharing during a meeting or learning session. They are useful when you want to record a shared session as it is. However, they are not always the best choice as an actual screen recording tool, because their starting point is recording a meeting, not calmly building an instructional video.

Use the tool when:

• you are recording a meeting, online lecture, or other live session
• you want to quickly capture screen sharing and discussion in the same recording

Less suitable when:

• you want to create a carefully structured instructional video
• you need precise control over views, audio recording, or the structure of the recording
• you do not want extra meeting interaction, notifications, or pauses to be included

Screen recorder’s checklist

Before recording

• close unnecessary programs and notifications
• check what is visible on the screen
• make sure the microphone works
• decide whether you will record the whole screen or only one window
• make sure files, slides, or web pages are already open
• briefly consider the goal and flow of the video

During recording

• speak calmly and clearly
• proceed step by step
• avoid unnecessary mouse movement
• keep only essential items on the screen
• if you make a mistake, pause briefly and start that section again

After recording

• watch the recording through before publishing
• trim away any unnecessary beginning and ending
• add captions if needed
• name the file clearly
• publish the video in the correct location