Animoto,+a+Web2.0+tool

by Suzanne Reid

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Animoto is a Web2.0 tool in which videos can be created quickly. This tool is easy to use and can be customized by the user. The user must first upload any music, video clips, images etc, which they would like to use in their video presentation. If they prefer they can use music, and images provided by Animoto. The user can add text and select images to be highlighted. Animoto will take the images, text, and video clips and will create a custom video. If the user does not like the video presentation they can redo it and create a new one. This makes it so that no two videos are the same. The videos can be added to blogs, wikis, other websites and email.

As a teacher you can get free unlimited access to the full Animoto site. Teachers are able to create a group from the entire class so they can monitor the students work. All videos created in an educational account are kept private. They can only be viewed by others if emailed, or posted to a blog, wiki or other site by the teacher.

When students use Animoto they become video producers and can be very creative in creating their video. If students use text in the video they will have to make sure that what they write is specific but short because there are only a small number of characters available. Students will apply creativity, effective communication skills and critical thinking when creating a video. They will need to decide on the appropriate order of the images, text and the best choice for music. Once their video is complete they will need to view, edit and correct any mistakes. Using the Animoto video tool students will be strengthening their visual literacy skills. Animoto is easy to use so students can spend more time creating, editing, and producing the content of the video rather than spending time on the technical aspects of the tool.

‍Animoto can be used in many ways in the classroom. For example, the teacher can create a video to introduce the next unit of study. Students can use it to learn vocabulary words. ‍Each student is assigned a work. They create a video that includes the word, definition, pronunciation and pictures that represent that particular word. This creates a visual to help students learn their vocabulary. I was thinking that in PE students could use Animoto to create a video of their favorite activity or a video that represents them doing physical activity outside of school (at our school, doing physical activity outside of school is a grade). Some other ways that Animoto can be used in the classroom include:

[] https://teachwithweb2.wikispaces.com/Animoto

As you can see the use of Animoto in the classroom has many benefits. It is fun and educational for students to use. It is user friendly so that students of all ages can have fun with it.

You tube video on how to create an Animoto account: []

Suzanne: These videos are really helpful in figuring out how to use animoto. I will see what I can do about getting this into math class. I wonder what we could do with it. Let me know if you think of something. Thanks, Amy

Another great use that the students at my school use this for is to do clips for our daily news that is broadcast during homeroom each day. It really brings a different element into the news to add to your typical sports, weather, and events that usually dominates the headlines. Also the students in the computer class use it for digital storytelling and those are sometimes featured on the news. Its a great tool to add into a class! - Liz