Introduction
Screenshots capture what's on the computer screen to show users what they will see, what they should type in, be aware of, or click. Modifying the screenshots by adding arrows, text, highlighting, etc. improves the learning experience for students but is not required.
The visual interest which a screenshot brings to an answer is useful in a number of ways. A screenshot provides an alternative learning method for visual learners and reinforces the content for everyone else. It also provides visual interest to a page, which is especially helpful in a text-heavy answer. Consider adding a screenshot when describing anything with which a student interacts—especially anything they click or enter information.
There are a number of ways to modify screenshots, highlighting the information they contain. These include arrows, text boxes, and highlighting. It is also important to consider how the screenshot is framed to highlight the information in the screenshot.
There are a number of ways to capture and edit a screenshot. Jing is free basic screen capture software which is easy to use. SnagIt is a step up from Jing and costs $99 a year. Photoshop or Gimp (an open source Photoshop-like program) provide extensive options for modifying a screenshot. Speak to your department's Quick Answer or LibGuides representative for information on screen capture software.
This section provides standards for screenshots. Also see the Accessibility: Screenshots section of the Springshare guide for additional accessibility requirements for screenshots.