Artefact 3 - Evaluation

For my third artefact I produce video tutorials that would be accessed and used through other known mediums. I had already used video tutorials in an educational setting that were used via a desktop computer. I wanted to produce tutorials for more advanced users that they could use via a handheld device such as an iPod or PDA.

I produced the previous tutorials with a view for them to instruct at the beginner level. These tutorials will be instructing users who have had previous experience with regards to video editing therefore instead of using iMovie I used Final Cut Pro. However I also converted the tutorials from the previous artefact into the formats described below. They were then used on 3 of the 12 previous ‘students’ to see what their opinions were regarding the smaller mediums.

The tutorial for use with Final Cut Pro was produced and I then converted into MP4, AVI and PDA formats. The MP4 version was for use through a classic iPod, the AVI version was loaded onto YouTube for use via the iTouch and the PDA version was loaded onto a HP iPAQ.

Much like the previous artefact I asked 3 people each individually to pick an envelope each containing a different medium. I asked them then to take their chosen medium away then come back 1 hour later to complete the task where I would be able to monitor their progress and ask them questions afterwards.

I asked a further 3 people to do the same except this time I asked them to do the task there and then. I did this for both beginner and advanced levels of knowledge.

With regards to the beginner’s using both sets of mediums they believed that the original methods (Verbal, Written, Video and Audio) were easier to use and more efficient than the mediums used for this artefact. These were also similar conclusions taken from the advanced user’s feedback. However the people who had more knowledge of video editing were also in a sense more technologically aware than the people who had no previous experience of editing and their opinion was that these new mediums were almost just as effective. The only difference was the resolution and size of the video produced minor annoyances.