TechSmith Snagit is a screen capture and recording application licensed by the University of Toronto for faculty, staff, and students with a valid UTORid. Instructors can use Snagit to capture and annotate screenshots, record instructional demonstrations, create short videos, and develop visual teaching materials.
Snagit supports both image and video capture. Recordings are saved locally on the computer and can be shared with students through supported services such as MyMedia or Microsoft OneDrive.
Getting Started with Snagit
U of T provides access to Snagit through an institutional software licence. Eligible faculty, staff, and students can download and activate the application using their UTORid.
To install Snagit:
- Visit the U of T Libraries’ TechSmith Snagit page and follow the link to the institutional Snagit licence site.
- Sign in with your UTORid and password.
- Complete and submit the required form.
- Download the installer and follow the installation instructions.
- Copy the Snagit software licence key provided through the licence site.
- Launch Snagit, select Enter Software Key, enter the key, and follow the prompts to activate the application.
Important: The software licence key is private and owned by the University. Do not share or distribute it.
Classroom recording: Snagit is not compatible with classroom podium computers. Instructors who want to record from a classroom podium should use their own laptop with Snagit installed.
Creating and Annotating Screenshots
Snagit allows instructors to capture images of their screens and add annotations to communicate information visually.
Screenshots can support teaching activities such as:
- Software demonstrations: Show students where to find tools, settings, or features in an application.
- Assignment instructions: Illustrate steps in a process or clarify submission requirements.
- Visual feedback: Highlight specific elements of student work and provide contextual comments.
- Course navigation: Create illustrated instructions for locating materials or completing activities in Quercus.
- Worked examples: Capture diagrams, calculations, or other visual information and add explanatory labels.
Capturing and Editing Screenshots
To capture a screenshot:
- Open Snagit and select Image.
- Choose the capture area, such as a window, region, or entire screen.
- Select Capture and identify the area you want to capture.
- Open the image in the Snagit Editor.
- Use the available annotation tools to add arrows, callouts, text, highlights, shapes, or numbered steps.
- Save or export the completed image.
For detailed instructions, consult TechSmith’s Capture, Edit & Share an Image with Snagit resource.
When preparing screenshots for students, ensure that text remains readable, annotations are clear, and colour is not the only means of communicating information. Provide meaningful alternative text for informative screenshots and avoid using images of text as the only source of essential instructions.
Recording and Editing Instructional Videos
Snagit supports screen recording with microphone audio, system audio, and webcam video. Instructors can use it to record demonstrations, explain processes, provide feedback, or create short instructional videos.
Examples include:
- Software tutorials: Demonstrate how to use an application or complete a digital task.
- Course tours: Introduce students to the organization and navigation of a Quercus course.
- Worked examples: Record explanations of calculations, diagrams, or other processes.
- Assignment guidance: Walk students through instructions, expectations, or common challenges.
- Feedback: Provide narrated explanations of student work or recurring issues.
Preparing Instructional Videos
When creating videos for students, consider:
- Learning purpose: Focus the recording on a specific concept, process, or activity.
- Audio quality: Use a suitable microphone and minimize background noise.
- Visual clarity: Ensure that text, interface elements, and demonstrations remain readable.
- Pacing: Allow students enough time to follow each step or explanation.
- Accessibility: Provide accurate captions and describe important visual information.
- Length and organization: Consider dividing longer demonstrations into shorter segments that students can revisit independently.
For broader guidance on planning and using recordings, consult CTSI’s Recording Lectures and Classes resource.
Recording a Video
To record a video:
- Launch Snagit and select Video.
- Choose the screen, window, or region you want to record.
- Configure the microphone, system audio, webcam, and cursor settings as appropriate.
- Select Capture, then start recording.
- Complete your demonstration or explanation.
- Stop the recording when finished.
- Review the recording in the Snagit Editor.
- Trim unwanted sections and save or export the video.
For detailed instructions, consult TechSmith’s Record, Edit & Share a Snagit Video resource.
Saving and Sharing Captures
Snagit saves captures locally, allowing instructors to retain, edit, and distribute images and videos as needed.
Saving Images and Videos
After editing a capture:
- Open the image or video in the Snagit Editor.
- Select the available Save, Save As, or Share option.
- Choose the appropriate file format and destination.
- Save the file to your computer.
Images can be saved in common formats such as PNG or JPEG. Video recordings can be exported in MP4 format.
Keep original captures when you may need to revise or reuse the materials.
Sharing Materials with Students
Instructors can share Snagit captures through Quercus (Canvas) or other supported University services.
- Screenshots: Add images to Quercus Pages, Assignments, or other course materials, accompanied by appropriate alternative text.
- Videos: Upload recordings to MyMedia or store them in Microsoft OneDrive, then share them with students using appropriate access permissions.
- Supporting materials: Provide written instructions, transcripts, or other materials when needed to support access and understanding.
Before sharing, check that students can access the materials and that any necessary captions or alternative formats are available.
For detailed guidance, consult CTSI’s Media Hosting and Sharing for Teaching, Microsoft OneDrive, and Captioning Recorded Videos resources.