How to use Screencastify for free screen recording

Screencastify is a Chrome extension (meaning that it only works on in the Chrome browser) that allows you to record what is happening on your computer screen.  While there are a number of other screen recording tools that you can use, this one is my favorite.  Let's take a look at its features:

• you can record a browser tab, your whole screen or just your webcam
• you can add your webcam into a browser tab or whole screen recording
• it can record offline!
• drawing tools to annotate
• spotlight tool to call attention to something
• highlights your mouse clicks
• recordings save in Google Drive
• option to upload directly to Google Classroom or YouTube
• export recording as an MP4 (video file) or an animated GIF
• basic video editor

As I mentioned earlier, this tool is free, but there is a limit of 5 minutes per video.  If you want the ability to record longer videos the paid version is $29 per year.  In addition to the extended recording time the paid version also give you additional editing features. 

It's honestly a very easy program to use and I think you can figure it out by just playing around with it (that's what I recommend for most things), but they do have some training resources that you check out as well.  Plus you can earn a fun badge and certificate if you take the whole training courses.