Since I missed last class, I decided to go through the different Audio/Video editing options and see if I could figure them out at all. The Audacity website was user friendly, but offered mainly screenshots and options to read about topics. Next, I looked at the Myna website. The first thing I saw was the demo video explaining some of the basic features of the program. It was extremely easy to create a Myna account using my Google login information. I spent some time watching the tutorial and navigating through the site.
Next, I looked at JayCut. I really liked the tutorial, since it was more of a “try-it-out” activity than just a video. There was already a file there with transitions and a few other things. It was really easy to see how to edit the video. I played around for a little while changing the video and experimenting with transitions.
Overall, I found that the more interactive the tutorial, the more it held my interest. I spent the most time on the JayCut website because I actually experienced how to edit videos, instead of just seeing someone else do it on a video or in a picture. I liked that there were clips and photos already provided, making it really easy to just mess around and figure out the details.
Unfortunately, I did not have much success with the YouTube editor. I started the tutorial, but closed out of it without meaning to. I’m having trouble figuring out how to upload videos, but having more success with JayCut.
I do not think screenshots and written explanations work as well as videos and interactive tutorials when learning online. If someone is familiar with a program, and simply wants to learn more about a specific tool, these screenshots and explanations may be exactly what they’re looking for. However, getting started with new program is much easier with an interactive tutorial that explains the basic functions of the program.
Participate in an online learning experience and document what worked for you and what didn’t work. This could be anything from a webinar to following one those crazy photoshop tutorials to completing portions of an open courseware course.