How do I make a screen recording using QuickTime on a Mac?

Instructors can record their voice and computer screen using the QuickTime application, which is built into most MAC computers.

Video screen recordings can be uploaded to the Canvas My Media tool and then added to the Media Gallery or embedded into a Canvas text box.

The QuickTime application on the MAC computer also includes an editing function that allows instructors to perform simple editing of their videos. See: "How do I edit or trim a QuickTime video on a Mac?"

Note: Best practice is to make a short test screen recording video before embarking on a full-lecture screen recording.

On your MAC computer, open the QuickTime Application (Applications / QuickTime)

On your MAC computer, open the QuickTime Application (Applications / QuickTime)

This displays the QuickTime application in the menu bar

Click File / New Screen Recording

Click File / New Screen Recording

This displays the screen recording pop-up panel.

Click the down arrow to the right of the record button and select microphone and cursor option

Click the down arrow to the right of the record button and select microphone and cursor option

Note: You may want to confirm the microphone selection and test it by clicking on the MAC System Preferences / Sound.

It is a good idea to check your recoding levels (both input and output) before recording

Open the application you want to screen record

Open the application you want to screen record

Note: If you are recording a full-screen PowerPoint presentation, you will need to make it full screen after the recording begins.

Click the Record button

Click the Record button

This displays a selection box.

Either click the screen for full screen recording or drag a box around the portion of the screen you want to record

Either click the screen for full screen recording or drag a box around the portion of the screen you want to record

This will initiate the screen recording.

Begin your recording of the screen (including your voice)

Begin your recording of the screen (including your voice)

The above is an example of recording a PowerPoint presentation

Note: You will be able to edit or trim your recording later. See: "How do I edit or trim a QuickTime video on a Mac?"

When you are finished recording, click on the Stop button located in the menu bar

When you are finished recording, click on the Stop button located in the menu bar

Note: If you are recording a full-screen PowerPoint, you will need to press Escape and go back to Normal View to reveal the MAC menu bar.

After processing, QuickTime will display the screen recording video (Example)

After processing, QuickTime will display the screen recording video (Example)

You can preview your video screen recording using the playback controls.

Save or Export your video.

Save or Export your video.

There are a number of options to save or export:

  • File / Save results in a .mov file (2880x1800 pixels) - (10 minute video = 490MB)
  • File / Export / 1080 results in a .mov file - 1728x1080 pixels - (10 minute video = 330 MB)
  • File / Export / 720 results in a .mov file - 1152x720 pixels - (10 minute video = 170 MB)
  • File / Export / 480 results in a .mov file - 640x400 pixels - (10 minute video = 79 MB)
  • File/ Export / iPhone3 results in a .m4v (mpeg4) file - 640x400 pixels - (10 minute video = 37MB)
  • File/ Export / iPhone4 results in a .m4v (mpeg4) file  - 1152x720 pixels - (10 minute video = 78MB)
  • File/ Export / iPhone5 results in a .m4v (mpeg4) file  - 1728x1080 pixels - (10 minute video = 190MB)

If you plan to upload the video to the Canvas My Media tool for streaming to students via the Media Gallery, this export is recommended:

*** File/ Export / iPhone4 results in a .m4v (mpeg4) file  - 1152x720 pixels - (10 minute video = 78MB)

Notes:

Best practice is to make a short test screen recording video before embarking on a full-lecture screen recording.

To edit or trim your QuickTime Video See: "How do I edit or trim a QuickTime video on a Mac?"

For directions on how to upload a video to the Canvas My Media space see How do I upload a video to My Media?

For directions on how to publish a My Media video to the course site's Media Gallery tool see How do I publish a video from My Media to the course site Media Gallery?

For directions on embedding a My Media video into a Canvas text box see How do I embed a video from My Media in a Canvas Text box?