After using both the iOS and OS X versions of iMovie, it is interesting to see the comparisons that one can make. After all, they both produce the same output, and can be used to accomplish the same assignment or professional task that is required. So why use one over the other? As a novice, I would suggest several factors that could be considered:
Outside Audio and Video Options
The iPad app offers you a no frills experience for your films. There are set sound affects and music options, so unless you want to get creative and start e-mailing yourself files or recording your own stuff, you are stuck with the generic though varied choices that Apple offers. (This is especially true if you are dealing with an iPad Cart as opposed to every student having their own device). So, if your task involves complexity in terms of outside music, you may want to use the computer. Video is the same - cumbersome to import, especially if you are just using a classroom set.
On the Mac, you can more easily import your own music and sounds, via your own iTunes library or internet sources. This allows for much more choice more easily in the kinds of sounds that you want to incorporate into your iMovie.
As far as recording your own voice and video, both devices can do this easily. However, depending upon the kind of computer you have you might have a problem - what if you are in a desktop Mac lab, and everyone wants to record at the same time? Or what if your video involves movement outside of range of the computer. You could use student mobile devices and import the audio later on. This is where using the iOS app could be useful. Students can record their own voice into the iPad, wherever the iPad might be, and insert it into the movie.
Complexity vs. Simplicity
The computer based version allows for a number of additional features that are not part of the iPad version. This can have some advantages, especially from a cinematic or artistic point of view. However, if students get too caught up in the "bells and whistles", then the content of the iMovie could be compromised. So this could actually be an advantage of the "limited" features and difficulty in importing outside sources on the iPad - students can be more focused on whatever content you want them to focus on when constructing their iMovie.
Shared or Individual Devices
If students are sharing devices, whether desktops or iPads, there is a bit more difficulty in saving movies and making sure that they are secure. Shared devices leave open the possibility that files could get deleted or edited by someone else. This is especially true on the iPad. One student did accidentally delete another student's work in my class earlier this year. On a Mac, flashdrives or cloud storage can be an option for storing iMovie files on a shared computer. Individual devices solve these problems.
These are just some initial thoughts on using iMovie in the classroom. I look forward to learning more next year and by reading other blogs and articles.
