Screen recordings are great ways for students to show off their work and present something they have created in the target language, like a slide show. Here's how you can create these responses on Extempore.
For students who need help on screen recording prompts, click here.
Creating a Screen Recording Prompt on Extempore
To create a prompt with a screen recording response, navigate to the question creation page within an assessment.
Under response type, select screen recording. Once screen recording is selected, you have the option to choose include screen and face or record only student screen. The former option will show the student's face in their response; the latter will not.
Screen recording is supported on desktop and in the Extempore mobile app, but mobile recordings have additional limitations. On mobile, students can use record only student screen to record their screen with microphone audio. The include screen and face option is not supported in the native mobile app.
From here, add any text and relevant media to your prompt, then save your assessment.
Mobile Limitations
Mobile screen recording works differently than desktop screen recording. On mobile, students can use record only student screen to capture their screen along with microphone audio. The include screen and face option is not available in the native mobile app — if an assessment calls for screen + face, students will need to complete that response from a desktop browser instead.
On iOS, screen recording can only capture what happens inside the Extempore app. This is an Apple platform limitation. Students need to keep Extempore open and in the foreground for the entire response. Leaving the app, switching to another app, locking the device, or backgrounding Extempore may cause the recording to stop or fail.
On Android, students can record the device screen after granting permission, and recording may continue if they switch apps briefly — but locking the device can still interrupt it.
Because of this, mobile screen recording works best for responses students can complete entirely inside Extempore. If students need to present something outside the app — like a slideshow or another program — we recommend they complete the response on a desktop device instead, where including the screen and face option is fully supported.
Response type | Native iOS app | Native Android app | Notes |
Screen + microphone | Supported | Supported | Students can record their screen and microphone audio. |
Screen + camera | Not supported | Not supported | Requires custom native support and remains web-only for now. |
What students should expect
When you begin a screen + microphone response on mobile:
Extempore will ask for the required recording permissions.
Your device may show a system screen-recording confirmation.
Begin recording only after granting permission.
Keep the app open until your response is complete.
After stopping the recording, wait for the upload to finish before leaving the page.
Tips for students recording on mobile
Close unnecessary apps before starting
Make sure the device has enough battery
Use a stable internet connection
Allow microphone and screen recording permissions when prompted
Don't lock the device during the response
On iOS, stay inside Extempore for the full recording
Troubleshooting
Student doesn't see the recording permission prompt
Have them check Extempore's permissions in device settings and try again.
Recording stops unexpectedly
Usually caused by the device locking, the app being backgrounded, or the OS interrupting the recording. Ask the student to restart the response if attempts remain.
Upload doesn't complete
Students should stay on the response page until the upload finishes. If it fails, check the internet connection and try again.
Note: because of the technical aspects of screen recordings and the many moving parts on the student side, we strongly recommend not using timing parameters or limiting attempts on these types of responses.
The assessment requires screen + camera on mobile
Screen + camera is not supported in the native mobile app. Ask the student to complete the response using a supported web browser instead.
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