Animoto Offers the Best in Web 2.0No more boring slideshows in my classroom--Animoto is here at last. As a teacher I am now free to develop digital storytelling at its finest at no cost. Animoto is one of the newest and free digital presentation tools for the classroom. This Web 2.0 tool offers anyone the ability to create thirty-second clips to present their idea or message, however educators can apply for a free unlimited version at the following link: http://animoto.com/education.
The creation process is simple to learn and user friendly. For each presentation, students simply have to complete three steps: 1) upload pictures and videos 2) add music from Animoto’s library or upload your own music and 3) finalize your work by submitting your creation to Animoto for analysis and processing. The final step usually takes around 5 minutes for a thirty second production.
Animoto orchestrates a custom video by removing the hassle of creating backgrounds and transitions so students can instead focus on content and narrative within the video. Instead of spending hours putting everything together, like background and font, Animoto constructs the texture of the video. Many of my students enjoy using PowerPoint for their class projects, but I believe once they are introduced and become familiar with Animoto, it will be their tool of choice.
In order to understand the ease of Animoto I decided to create my own project. This was a simple presentation to promote reading in my classroom. I spent a total of 15 minutes uploading pictures, selecting music and waiting for Animoto to create my final product. Considering the small amount of time I invested, I believe I was able to create a quality video.
To tell a story using pictures and video requires higher synthesis from any student in a creative, new way. In a recent interview, Lovely stated, “Web 2.0 is about trust…sharing and collaborating….it’s about putting the power to learn and create in the hands of the students” (2009). Animoto offers a high quality product that is affordable for educators and engaging for every student, thus putting the power to learn and create in the hands of the student.
Lovely (2009, February 2). [In an interview with Riedel, C.] Top 10 Web 2.0 tools for young learners. T H E Journal. Retrieved January 14, 2009 from http://thejournal.com/articles/2009/02/02/top-10-web-20-tools-for-young-learners.aspx?sc_lang=en
Now I definitely want to try Animoto after reading your post!! I love the video you created and also that you included how much time it took you to create it! Your steps are easy to understand, and I am sure that it will be an awesome addition to your language arts classroom! Fantastic work, Stacie!
ReplyDeleteAnything that allows students to concentrate on the material and not the technology is always a good thing. I love how you are finding so many new products to use and thank you for taking the time to show us Animoto.com.
ReplyDeleteOkay here's yet another excellent Web 2.0 tool that I am going to try out. Your video is excellent, I love the music choice and the transitions. The best part is the amount of time it took you to create this. Thanks for this preview into Animoto.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome and worthy Web 2.0 tool that allows our students to go beyond the same o same in our classrooms. This is great because it allows the us to integrate technology with the curriculum to continue to keep our students engage and prepared. I am always looking to help educators and this is a great help because this gives teachers options with using technology.
ReplyDeleteWow Stacie, You did a great job. Your video has really inspired me to do of my class. I have so many pictures of them and I had no ideas what to do with them but now I do. Thank you. You found a great web tool and I am very glad you shared it with us!
ReplyDeleteI love this site! I can think of many ways that I can use this site with all the the subjects I teach. I think the students will have a good time using this in class and at home. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove it Stacie! Seems you and I have similar interests....storybird.com and now this. I just love the ease of these sites and the many wonderful activities you can do with them. I teach 2nd grade and have been doing digital storytelling for 2 years now but haven't used Animoto yet. I am definately going to give it a try with my class. You do an awesome job with your blogs. Very informative:)
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