I started going through Motion tutorials today. I found out that there is a good sized learning curve with this program. Luckily, the have created templates which make it easier. Unfortunately, it wasn't as easy as I thought it might be because I have never used it or anything like it. Thank goodness for great tutorials.
To begin with, this started with an overview, which did not adhere to the best e-learning principles set down by Lisa Smith ( actually set down by Clark and Mayer:), but it was great information. Although the instructor read everything that was on the PowerPoint slides, she did defined several unfamiliar terms, so I learned some extras in addition to operations. 
The welcome screen does adhere to good e-learning principles in that it lets you choose a starting point according to your current schema, skip or go back later if you want reinforcement or repetition. The tutorials are broken down into short segments according to tabs and windows, and you can click on your own project in motion while going through the lessons. The clips I want to use need to be split and shortened, so I didn't create anything yet, but I want to use one of the templates which shouldn't be a problem after I finish the last section of lessons tomorrow. 
Another thing I learned tonight is why this software is so expensive. Just going through the pre-existing effects and templates that are available in just this one application within the studio is mind boggling. I am very excited!!!
Finally, the last shot is of the tutorials I completed tonight. Gotta go to sleep now. More tomorrow.
