Libraries can definitely benefit from Jing videos,
especially since so many of the resources and tools that libraries use require
a computer of some sort. For instance, a library could use Jing to show how to
use a database, catalog, or a library’s website. Video tutorials in general are
great because they appeal to the visual learner; can be performed simultaneously
with the application, if necessary; and they can be paused, rewound, and fast-forwarded
through if the learner desires. The nice
thing about Jing, compared to other screen-capturing software like Camtasia or
Captivate is that it’s totally free, so anyone can download it and create video
tutorials without having to worry about funding issues. Jing is also very easy
to use and straightforward, so there is not as much of a learning curve.
One of the drawbacks, though, to Jing, is that it’s not as
fully featured as some of the other screen-capturing software utilities
mentioned above. If I make a mistake in my video tutorial, or if I want to add
something in, it can be much harder to edit this video without having to start
over. Another downside is that the tutorials are limited to five minutes. While
this does encourage tutorial makers to keep their videos simple, it may not be enough
if you have a more complex topic that you want to explain.
A big drawback overall to video tutorials is that they take
a bit of time to create, especially when compared to written documentation.
They have to be planned out, especially if the user is going to speak along
with it. If someone is not used to training, they may have difficulty moving
their mouse and talking at the same time. Another downside is that since video
tutorials are so visual, if the application or screen changes, even slightly,
it will make your tutorial obsolete and may make it harder to follow.
I definitely think video tutorials are a worthwhile
investment for libraries, especially with the invention of Jing that makes this
technology accessible to a much wider audience.
