If you haven't heard by now, Animoto is one of the best photo/video mashup tools out there. (You can read some past posts I've done on it here.) In a nutshell, users can upload photos and videos, select some music to set the mood and create some of the most professional (and really cool looking) videos out there.
Here is one a student did for the Inauguration
Recently I asked my PLN what advice they would give to new Animoto users. Here is what they said:
What great tips! Remember, Animoto is free for Educators. Which means it will be free for your students to use. So head over there, sign up and get those creative juices flowing!
Some have already started, others are going back this week and some still have Summer left. Which ever group you fall into, its Back To School Time. Over the next few posts I want to give you some quick and easy ideas of some really cool tools and resources you can use for those first days back. (Really they can be used any time...but you get the idea!)
Earlier in the summer I collected a great list of Back To School Tips, Tools, Resources and Advice. (You can read my summary here.) One of the tools that came up several times was Animoto. In fact here is a tweet I just saw as I was writing this post:
You may have seen other teachers using the program or heard about it through a friend. You may be wondering how it works or how it could be used in your classroom.
First an example. Below is a video from a good friend of mine, Shelly (@ShellTerell) put together to explain what #edchat is on Twitter. (If you want to know more about #edchat, read this great post from another friend of mine Mary Beth (@mbteach)
I have put together a presentation and guide to help you get started with Animoto.
The presentation and guide go hand-in-hand, so be sure to check them both out.
Remember the tweet from above? That was from another friend of mine, Jerry (@jswiatek). Over at his class wiki, he as some great instructions on that Welcome Back Project.
Recently I had the joy to work with educators on Animoto in Cabarrus County, NC at their Tech Camp. At the end of the session I asked them to brainstorm ideas on ways they could use the program with their kids. Here is a portion on the list they came up with:
Use it to review specific concepts or as a review game.
Use it as a way to show parents what their child has been doing in class like on a parent night or at an open house.
Use as a virtual school tour
Use as a contest with students to show school spirit or what the school is "all about."
So now you have everything you need to get started with Animoto. As you use it I would love to hear your ideas on how you use it with your kids. Share your success stories and videos you create. Also, share suggestions and tips that you have for other teachers. Head back here and leave me a comment.
Do you have pictures of your students taking up hard drive space and you don't know what to do with them? Would you like to create digital slide shows for your parents and students for the end of the year celebrations complete with hip transitions and music? Fear you don't know how? Fear not! Animoto is the perfect site for you. Check out this Animoto I created in less than 5 minutes.
What to create your own? I have created a guide that you can view below.
In this book, geared towards School and District Leaders, you'll learn about some of the most popular web tools used in schools but through a leadership lens. Understand how to be a more effective communicator and collaborator and boost productivity, at the same time understanding the need for school and district leaders be models of effective technology use.
Written with my good friend Tom Whitby, the book not only lays out the simple tools educators can use to get connected but why it's important to use these tools for professional learning, engaging classrooms and more! Filled with our own stories it's an easy read for any educator!
