So Many Choices
Developing a multimedia project, at first may seem simple, but once you take into account all of the different approaches...well maybe it is not so easy. From the previous module, I had storyboarded an topic that I had used for a workshop this past semester - Reducing Student Emails using Clear Concise Communication. This seemed easy enough as I had presented the workshop multiple times with different audiences, both in person and online. However, being asked to pivot it to a multimedia presentation created a challenge. How would I construct it, what tools would I use, and more importantly, how would I put it all together.
This weeks offerings provided a robust assortment of tools to use to present the topic, ranging from basic PowerPoint presentation with audio voiceover, website development, and creating a VR/AR environment. We were provided many different options within each approach....which led to a period of decision paralysis. For those that may not know what decision paralysis is, it is the inability to choose one specific option when we are presented with a large number of choices (Ludwig, 2023). When we have too many options to choose from, we choose to to nothing.
However, having access to so many tools allows one to ponder what can be done and how to incorporate them into a single project. The pros and cons of each must be weighed before moving forward. While most are free to use, there were some that required a subscription. One must consider what works best for them and move forward. I tend to lean towards the free tools or as cheap as possible. At this time, I have chosen to do a slide presentation with embedded recordings. Below is a list of the tools I have decided to utilize for my final project.
Video Capture - Open Broadcast Software. This piece of software has become my go to as it offers a tremendous amount of flexibility for recording various scenes, audio inputs, overlays, etc. It was originally designed as a tool for streamers top broadcast their video streams to YouTube or Twitch. However, after moving to remote learning, I was able to use it as part of my synchronous classes with a small learning curve. It provides the ability to record locally in high quality video formats which can be imported into editing software with ease.
Slide Construction - PowerPoint. This has become one of the default pieces of presentation software along with Keynote (Apple) and Google Slides. Canva has become a well recognized website with many options, so much so, that is can become overwhelming. It is something I continue to explore and will strive to get more accustomed to it in the future. PowerPoint is what I have used and I figured I would stick with what I know. With the most recent version, it has become extremely easy to use with many options for presenting information.
Image/Photo - I utilized many of the options provided to us through the Padlet page. Pexels along with various clipart websites. Each of these were stock photo sites and allowed free use.
Video Editing - Adobe Premier. I will be utilizing Premier to build the final project. It is not free; however, I do have a subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud through my institution - Houston Community College. If I did not have access to Adobe, I would recommend Davinci Resolve. Resolve is free to use and is comparable to Premier in almost every way.
Overall, there are an almost unlimited set of tools to use to create a multimedia project and it really comes down to the user. What are they most comfortable with, what will get the desired result, and how efficient can the project be completed. There are no right answers and no one way to do things. Find what works and move forward. However, as Instructional Technologists, it is beneficial to use to have experience with as many tools as we can.
Tools Referenced:
Canva - https://www.canva.com/
OBS - https://obsproject.com/
Adobe Premiere - https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere.html
Davinci Resolve - https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve
Works Referenced:
Ludwig, P. (2023, November 21). Decision paralysis: How to stop overthinking your choices. Procrastination.com - Stop Procrastinating, Start Living. https://procrastination.com/blog/9/decision-paralysis-overthinking-choices#:~:text=Complicated%20choices%20result%20in%20postponed%20decisions&text=This%20inability%20to%20choose%20is,that%20are%20difficult%20to%20compare.
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