Beyond E-learning management systems : screencasting for presentation and practice

E-learning management systems (EMS) such as FirstClass, Blackboard and Moodle have become firmly entrenched at many Australian tertiary institutions as the primary method of implementing e-learning. However employing a management system comes at a cost" development difficulties, staff training issues, student boredom, and the high cost of system itself" are commonplace. A less obvious problem is that for most instructors, the EMS itself becomes the exclusive access point to e-learning activities. If one also considers issues of organizational control, usability, accessibility, and cultural bias, there is a need for a method of instruction that goes beyond what EMS's can currently offer. One solution is to utlize screencasting software in order to create both Web-based and standalone tutorials which may be viewed without the need for an Internet connection. A case study using Adobe Captivate to teach statistics and report writing is described concluding that screencasting offers a viable alternative to monotonous and repetitive website links.