The strategy, as published
The EEF: technology works best when it supplements teaching, not replaces it. A screencast works alongside classroom explanation, not instead of it. Supplement, never substitute.
Find this under Use technology with greater purpose
Part of Structuring Explanations in 05 Explanations & Modelling, where it sits alongside its neighbouring strategies, the infographic and the thinking for the whole area.
Why you might use it
Once an explanation is recorded, it is tempting to let the recording do the teaching. The EEF's finding pushes the other way: technology works best when it supplements teaching, not when it replaces it.
A screencast cannot see puzzled faces, take a question or reteach a step. It works alongside your classroom explanation, not instead of it.
What it might look like
After teaching a method live, a maths teacher posts a short screencast of the same method to the class page. Pupils who were absent, or who want it again before the homework, replay it; the live lesson is unchanged.
Try it
Before recording anything, name what the recording adds that the live explanation cannot: replay, pause, access after absence. If you cannot name one, skip the recording.
What to notice
Things to think about
Technology second
A screencast made with the approved screen recording tool in your setting, shared through your school's learning platform, gives an explanation a second life: pupils can pause, rewind and revisit. That is the supplement. The moment it becomes the first and only telling, it is a substitute, and that is not where the EEF's evidence says technology works best.
The wider thinking
The EEF's digital technology guidance is the direct source; supplement, never substitute is its finding compressed into four words. The card’s attribution stands as published: EEF.
The fuller picture, sources included, is in further reading and evidence for Explanations & Modelling.
Keep exploring
Back to this strategy in 05 Explanations & Modelling, across to what you're trying to improve, or into all 144 at once.
Want to take this further?
Pedagogy First gives you a starting point. If you want support exploring how approaches like this can work across your school, trust or professional learning programme, that work is available.