What is Specimen Answer

A screencast is a video recording of a computer monitor display, together with voice-over. This teaching technique has multiple advantages including the ability to model the thought processes of a mathematician in a context in which content may be repeated at will. Anecdotal evidence suggests that screencasts can be a very effective teaching tool, especially for providing model answers. Here, screencasts are discussed from a pedagogical and curriculum perspective using student feedback statistics as data. Specifically, screencasts offer a teaching resource that has value for many traditionally difficult groups of students. For example, poorly engaged students are well-served, as the barriers for participation are low; and high-achieving students benefit from the directed narrative. All students valued the ability to view material multiple times at will. The chapter concludes with some observations about how the overall learning environment might be improved in the context of undergraduate mathematics.