How to record on screen actions and via a webcam?

[shateredsoul]

Hi People,

I know this is not at all related to arcade stuff, but I know a lot of people are resourceful and was wondering if you guys had any thoughts on how to resolve my issues?

I'm in the middle of designing my dissertation study on kid's collaboration while learning to computer program. Everything is going pretty smooth except trying to figure out how to record the kids and what they do on screen. So here are a few questions.

1. Is there software that allows you to record what people do on screen in sync with what is recorded via a webcam? Ideally, I would both videos would be synced and when I rewind it would rewind both (and both could be seen on the screen at the same time). I believe there is software designed specifically for this, but it's very very expensive (we're talking 5 to 10k). I was wondering if there was some hack or diy way to do this.

2. Any thoughts on a camera angle to best capture the kids facial expressions and body language? I had the crazy idea of using a hacked kinect to track body movement, pointing, posture, etc.. Does anyone know if this type of video capturing kinect software exists? Lol, I imagined a video of the skeletal frame. Funny, but it would be neat. I'm applying to some funding, so there is a potential that I can pay someone to put software together for me.

3. Any other ideas? Suggestions on more appropriate forums to post my questions?

thanks!

[ark_ader]

Hi People,

I know this is not at all related to arcade stuff, but I know a lot of people are resourceful and was wondering if you guys had any thoughts on how to resolve my issues?

I'm in the middle of designing my dissertation study on kid's collaboration while learning to computer program. Everything is going pretty smooth except trying to figure out how to record the kids and what they do on screen. So here are a few questions.

1. Is there software that allows you to record what people do on screen in sync with what is recorded via a webcam? Ideally, I would both videos would be synced and when I rewind it would rewind both (and both could be seen on the screen at the same time). I believe there is software designed specifically for this, but it's very very expensive (we're talking 5 to 10k). I was wondering if there was some hack or diy way to do this.

2. Any thoughts on a camera angle to best capture the kids facial expressions and body language? I had the crazy idea of using a hacked kinect to track body movement, pointing, posture, etc.. Does anyone know if this type of video capturing kinect software exists? Lol, I imagined a video of the skeletal frame. Funny, but it would be neat. I'm applying to some funding, so there is a potential that I can pay someone to put software together for me.

3. Any other ideas? Suggestions on more appropriate forums to post my questions?

thanks!

Doesn't Microsoft Lync have this feature?

[shateredsoul]

you mean like share your desktop and allow webcam conferencing? Maybe, but I don't think it allows you to video it, and for it to serve my purpose, it would have to allow me to use the webcam to record the person using the computer rather than someone else at another computer.

[stu33]

You could probably get FRAPS to do it...just stream the webcam on the computer while it's being used, if you can spare the real estate.  Then just set FRAPS to record the whole screen.  I THINK you can do this, but I'm not positive.

[knave]

Perhaps have the webcam output to a 2nd monitor and use FRAPS.

[ark_ader]

you mean like share your desktop and allow webcam conferencing? Maybe, but I don't think it allows you to video it, and for it to serve my purpose, it would have to allow me to use the webcam to record the person using the computer rather than someone else at another computer.

Sure does.  I did a college assignment on that very topic.  The college wanted to have a video lessons like Khan Academy.  You can use SharePoint with it.  If you have MSDNAA you can grab the software for free or just trial 365 Office.  Soon to work with Kinect in the next couple of months.

[shmokes]

This thread is blowing my mind. Who the ---fudgesicle--- is this helpful, not-obnoxious person?

[ark_ader]

This thread is blowing my mind. Who the ---fudgesicle--- is this helpful, not-obnoxious person?

The same person who is conscientious and hard working, and when he graduates this year will make easily twice as much as the unemployed shyster opinionated individual whose attitude is holding him back    Not mentioning anyone's name.... 

Yet still be helpful and not 100% obnoxious to the masses. 

I'll be even more helpful and suggest using Camtasia Recorder, which has a free demo at:
http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia-uses.html

There is several others, but could have malware attached.

Let us know how you got on, as it would be cool to have a decent capture program to promote instructional videos on being positive to other people who try and help a certain individual, whenever possible.   

[shmokes]

Unemployed? Do they teach math at your school? Cos last I checked making twice as much as nothing isn't that impressive.

[shateredsoul]

you mean like share your desktop and allow webcam conferencing? Maybe, but I don't think it allows you to video it, and for it to serve my purpose, it would have to allow me to use the webcam to record the person using the computer rather than someone else at another computer.

Sure does.  I did a college assignment on that very topic.  The college wanted to have a video lessons like Khan Academy.  You can use SharePoint with it.  If you have MSDNAA you can grab the software for free or just trial 365 Office.  Soon to work with Kinect in the next couple of months.

Cool I'll check that out, I recently learned about Khan Academy. They're test school is about an hour and a half away from me.  

I also like the fraps and 2nd monitor idea. Except... one q,

so if I use a 2nd monitor and have it mirror what the kids are doing, how will the webcam footage also be captured? The end product needs to be be a video, that includes the desktop footage synced with the webcam footage.

I don't want the kids seeing themselves being recorded. If I extend the desktop onto a 2nd screen, then would using fraps capture 2 screens? But then that'd be really tiny.  It's definitely something to start experimenting with though.

What's MSDNAA?

I was considering camtasia. I know that can capture your powerpoint and audio (probably video too). But if only it could let me record the desktop and webcam.  I'll have to experiment a bit, but I would have never thought of trying a 2nd monitor.  My advisor suggested we might have to have a camera on each side of the kids, that would be a nightmare... syncing 2 camera feeds and the desktop capture. Plus it would be really invasive. Another option is just placing a cam above their heads behind them so I can seem some interaction between them and see the screen. The main purpose of capturing the screen is to see what they reference when they talk, and what they're working on. The main point of analysis is the interaction between the kids, capture the computer screen is important because it would help us understand what the kids are referencing.

I recented completed some work at a research firm. I worked with previously collected vids of kids working at a computer. The camera was only focused on the kids and it was hard to tell if they were off task or working in their project because I couldn't see the computer screen, only later did I realize they were messing around by looking at themselves on the webcam and not doing the work at all! lol

Anyways, I'm still open to suggestions, hacks, work arounds,...hmm, surveillance equipment?

[ark_ader]

Cool I'll check that out, I recently learned about Khan Academy. They're test school is about an hour and a half away from me.  

What's MSDNAA?

I was considering camtasia. I know that can capture your powerpoint and audio (probably video too). But if only it could let me record the desktop and webcam.  I'll have to experiment a bit, but I would have never thought of trying a 2nd monitor.  My advisor suggested we might have to have a camera on each side of the kids, that would be a nightmare... syncing 2 camera feeds and the desktop capture. Plus it would be really invasive. Another option is just placing a cam above their heads behind them so I can seem some interaction between them and see the screen. The main purpose of capturing the screen is to see what they reference when they talk, and what they're working on. The main point of analysis is the interaction between the kids, capture the computer screen is important because it would help us understand what the kids are referencing.

I recented completed some work at a research firm. I worked with previously collected vids of kids working at a computer. The camera was only focused on the kids and it was hard to tell if they were off task or working in their project because I couldn't see the computer screen, only later did I realize they were messing around by looking at themselves on the webcam and not doing the work at all! lol

Anyways, I'm still open to suggestions, hacks, work arounds,...hmm, surveillance equipment?

MSDNAA is a facility where you can download free Microsoft Software (with a free two year support agreement) for use in academic work.  Software includes keys for Windows 7,Vista and XP with 2003, 2008 and SQL server including Enterprise.  In all about 166 full retail packages minus retail Office.  Project 2010, Access 2010, Visio and Lync 2010 is available.

There is also Dreamspark where you can get more software (on top of MSDNAA) but you have to get authenticated.  Check with your educational institution to see if you have access to it.  If not MSDNAA, then possibly Dreamspark.  Free Operating Systems is pretty cool in any given situation.    We just got access to the Kinect SDK and the guys in our college has had success using it.

Office 365-E has a month trial and you can have Lync 2010 in the cloud with Office.  I think it costs $10 a month after that, but it is free for schools as of last year.  So you can have Lync and SharePoint without Office installed at no cost if your educational institution is associated. Click for Details

I watched a video where Office 365-E was implemented and the school in some state saves like 200K a year in IT costs as it was cloud based.  You can knock Microsoft for their Operating Systems, but when it comes to education they are definitely on the ball.

In respect to your situation you can record sessions with webcam and Remote Desktop or SharePoint environments.  I would think it would be useful in System Analysis when conducting user research or heuristic evaluations.   We did a study for the college so we can have a type of Khan Academy for our disabled students who cannot attend a physical class.  It was pretty interesting.
 

[ark_ader]

Unemployed? Do they teach math at your school? Cos last I checked making twice as much as nothing isn't that impressive.

I keep forgetting the £ and $ rate.  OK you might be earning a bit less if you were employed, but I do not think McDonands is looking for shyster burger burners.  I could be wrong though.   

You could record a webcam Curriculum Vitae and post it on YouTube and maybe you can be an internet sensation like this guy:



 

[stu33]

Ok, here's the way OVERLY complicated way to do it...setup something like GoToMyPc (gotta be a free one out there...does windows remote administrator let the client pc still control it's mouse/keyboard?) on the pc that the subjects are using.  Stream their desktop to a 2nd computer.  Then, stream a webcam to the desktop on the 2nd computer also.  Then FRAPS the 2nd desktop.

That might work...I have no idea.

I've used that Camtasia software before too, it's pretty nifty, but was a resource hog for me.  I'm sure I could have tweaked for it, but I didn't invest the time.

[shateredsoul]

Looks like we might have access to MSDNAA, at leas the school of engineering does

i tried creating an account, but my school e-mail was not recognized. Like always, the social sciences getting the shaft. I'll investigate and see if I can gain access. I'll see what I can find out.

[shateredsoul]

I want an awesome job, maybe I need to make a video. lol I love you, but not I want to have your babies love you. Man, he must have said awesome every 3 seconds.

On a serious note, I have seen people post videos of presentations (power point with audio). Seems like a pretty useful thing to do, unless you do a half assed job.

[ark_ader]

Looks like we might have access to MSDNAA, at leas the school of engineering does

i tried creating an account, but my school e-mail was not recognized. Like always, the social sciences getting the shaft. I'll investigate and see if I can gain access. I'll see what I can find out.

Contact the network administrator and he should make you an account.  Saying that, have you looked at Dreamspark yet?  Lots of goodies in there!!!

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

http://www.sitepoint.com/17-screencasting-tools-for-virtual-training/

That "Pixtel" looks like exactly what you want, and there is a free trial.

[shateredsoul]

http://www.sitepoint.com/17-screencasting-tools-for-virtual-training/

That "Pixtel" looks like exactly what you want, and there is a free trial.

Nice! I'll check that out. Won't be able to check it out for a week though, going to a conference in Florida.

Thanks for sharing