Choosing Tools
When choosing tools there are a number of options available. The differences between them usually fall into a few categories though: easy of use, materials you can use, platform the application runs on, and what kind of file you will end up with when you're done. EdTech created a matrix to help you decide which tool is right for you. We chose ease of use as our main metric. A definition of each level preceeds the matrix.
Easiest/Basic Option:
These tools are designed to make podcasting, webcasting and other forms of basic media creation very easy. The interfaces are simple and the output often templatized. They are designed to allow people with different levels of experience, from novice to pro, to create something quickly.
Intermediate Option:
These tools are also usually quite simple to use. In addition to the basics and the templatized options they offer additional tools to allow you to create more complex media creations as well.
Advanced Option:
All these options can be relatively easy as well but the applications are designed to offer many additional options and features to advanced users. As a result the interfaces are complex and can be somewhat overwhelming.
Tool Matrix
| Level of Difficulty | Tool | Platform | Media you can import |
Media you can create |
Media you can produce | Notes | |
| Basic | GarageBand | Mac | Audio files, images, video | Recorded audio, background tracks |
|
Primarily audio, but allows you to export small (iPod size) video to accommodate images and video | mp3 (audio only) play anywhere mp3 will play |
| iPhoto | Mac | Audio files, images |
|
Slideshows as video files complete with transitions and audio | export can easily play anywhere selected format plays. | ||
| PhotoStory | Win | Audio files, images | Recorded audio, background tracks |
|
Slideshows as video files complete with transitions and audio | Files are, essentially, windows only. Can be translated with FLV conversion, or posted to youtube to share with all platforms. | |
| Intermediate | iMovie | Mac | Audio files, images, video | Recorded audio |
|
Video in multiple formats (.mov, .flv, .mp4 are most popular) | export can easily play anywhere selected format plays. |
| MovieMaker | Win | Audio files, images, video | Recorded Audio |
|
Video as wmv | files are, essentially, windows only. Can be translated with FLV conversion, or posted to youtube to share with all platforms. | |
| FinalCut Express | Mac | Audio files, images, video |
|
Video in multiple formats (.mov, .flv, .mp4 are most popular) | export can easily play anywhere selected format plays. | ||
| Premiere Elements | Mac & Win | Audio files, images, video |
|
Video in multiple formats (.mov, .flv, .mp4 are most popular) | export can easily play anywhere selected format plays. | ||
| Advanced | Adobe Premiere | Mac & Win | Audio files, images, video |
|
video in multiple formats (.mov, .flv, .mp4 are most popular) | export can easily play anywhere selected format plays. | |
| FinalCut Pro | Mac | Audio files, images, video |
|
video in multiple formats (.mov, .flv, .mp4 are most popular) | export can easily play anywhere selected format plays. | ||
| Sony Vegas Video | Win | Audio files, images, video |
|
video in multiple formats (.flv, .mp4 are most popular) | export can easily play anywhere selected format plays. | ||
