Animoto

 

 

 

 

Objective: Use visuals to review prior learning on a field trip and as a prompt for a writing activity.

 

Web tool: Animoto

 

Brief description of  tool: A web application that automatically generates professionally produced videos using  patent-pending technology and high-end motion design. Each video is a fully customized orchestration of user-selected images and music. Produced on a widescreen format, Animoto videos have the visual energy of a music video and the emotional impact of a movie trailer.

 

Use of tool: Using photos and music  to revisit field trip learning in a simple and fun way that will help motivate students' to produce their own thoughtful written reflection. The responses could be on student blogs using one of the pictures from the Animoto video.

 

Animoto Video of Homeless Animal Shelter (I used pictures of a visit to a homeless animal shelter with my grandaughter to simulate a classroom field trip.)

 

 

How it facilitates learning: The compelling video short grabs their attention, creates curiosity, and uses visuals to stimulate thinking about prior learning on a field trip.

 

Blog posts:

 

• Animoto: Video Kills the Slideshow? This blog post from Read/Write Web includes step-by-step directions for using Animoto.

 

Additional strategies to use with students to facilitate learning and thinking:

 

• Vocabulary activities are limitless. For example, pictures students take with a digital camera could  illustrate a word, a concept, or a learning activity.
• Many classroom culminating activities can have a bit of fun and excitement added to the classroom using this tool to do quick visual recaps.
• Celebrations of student achievements create a learning environment that is conducive to learning. Spotlight the learning!

 

How To:

 

Videos:

Animoto in your Classroom: Part 1 by Mark Woolley

Animoto in your Classroom: Part 2 by Mark Woolley

 

Additional Resources

 

• See Kevin Jarrett's post, Teen Second Life After School Club Promo using Animoto as a flyer for an after school program. This exemplifies the strategy above about celebrating student achievement but here he is promoting and piquing interest in after school learning. (So as his song says, "Reach to a higher plane!")

   

  Note - This Animoto clip is not free (like the 30 second shorts that are free for everyone) but if you want longer clips you can prodce a full-length video for $3 each or purchase an All-Access Pass to make an unlimited number of full-length videos for $30 for a one year subscription.