Ed Tech Talk

Video Editing: Is It Still a “Killer App”?

Today’s students can obtain video files and manipulate, edit and post them on sites such as YouTube. Is video editing still the “killer application” that it used to be?

I just participated in judging the eTech Ohio Student Video Contest. The entries were varied in content, but a clear message jumped out at me: Even though students can shoot and edit video, does it mean they can create video messages?

It’s clear that with all the technology and with the ability to post videos easily on YouTube, today’s students are lacking some fundamental skills to produce quality video messages. I looked at countless videos and saw students not citing sources of music, statistics and graphics. I saw typographical errors on title screens and on treatment information. The entries were impressive, but I got frustrated when the separation of a good video from a great one was not technical, but fundamental.

Today’s students have access to digital video recorders that rival broadcast equipment. Editing can be completed either in iMovie (Mac) or Movie Maker (PC) with features that, 10 years ago, could only be found in broadcast production facilities. With YouTube, the message can be transmitted quickly and easily to a “world” market of viewers rivaling the network model developed by ABC, NBC and CBS some 50 years ago.

What falls short is the message. Communication fundamentals and proper message planning cannot be replaced by computer graphics wizardry. Students have the technology and the access, but they still need to apply the communication fundamentals to make it all work together.

Take a look at YouTube — you'll quickly see what I mean.

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