Animoto

The resource for today is called Animoto.

What is Animoto?

Animoto is a video creation service that can either be used online or on a mobile device. You upload pictures or video clips that you want to include in the presentation, add music and words to explain what is happening, and then you click the "produce video" button. According to Animoto's website, once you hit the produce video button, it does it's "magic and in minutes brings it all to life with a beautifully orchestrated production you can share with family and friends."

Is it free?

Animoto is free for up to 30 seconds of video with limited styles & music tracks. For $30.00 annually, you can receive the Plus account and that allows you to have full length videos, allows your Animoto presentations to be downloaded, but you're still limited to specific styles & music tracks. For $249.00 annually, you will receive the Pro account. This includes full length videos, 1,100+ music tracks to choose from, downloadability, and free HD upgrades.
You can (as an educator) apply for the Education Video Slideshows by Animoto program. Teachers will then receive all-access privileges (receiving the 

What will Animoto bring to your classroom?

This product can prove to be beneficial in all different grades throughout the education system. From using it in the Kindergarten classroom to create a video about the alphabet to using it in 7th Grade classrooms to tell about a famous American inventor, to a college student identifying their time and what they have learned in their internship. This tool brings an easier way to create "PowerPoint type presentations," visual aids, and slideshows in the classroom environment without having to hassle with the transitions between slides, text, and adding your own music (finding it, as well!). 

How do I use Animoto?

Below, I will show you the steps of using Animoto.

STEP 1: Sign up for Animoto - I signed up for the free account that gives me 30 seconds of video.

STEP 2: Choose a style for your video. This is where you choose the backgrounds.

STEP 3: It will bring up your choice of background, asking if you want to purchase it or IN SMALL PRINT it says make a 30-second video for free. This is what I chose.

CLICK ON:

Step 4: Watch the video that pops up if you'd like, or you can go ahead and do what you want. I chose to watch so I could see what Animoto was all about.

Step 5: Choose your music. You can either choose music from their library or upload your own music from your computer.

Step 6: Choose your photos. You can either choose to upload from your computer or use their images and video clips.

As you're adding photos and text, there's a WHITE BOX that appears around the approved things (photos, text, and videos) before they end up going over the time allowed. As you can see, I stayed within my 34 seconds allotted.

 Then, when I added text, I went exactly up to my time allotted - 34 seconds.

Next, hit preview your video - if you are happy with the way it turned out, hit publish! YOU'RE DONE and have created a fantastic presentation in no time.

Below is the video I ended up creating.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

How can I use Animoto in my classroom?

Below is a list of ways that this tool can be utilized in the classroom:

-Show the rules to new students
-Summarize a story in 30 seconds
-Presentation on oneself to allow others to 'get to know' you
-Create different movie trailers for books that have been read
-Create a video report on an animal, containing pictures and text
-Teach complex topics in various subjects (how to use notation, etc)
-Identify the rules for special education students through presentation
-Create a commercial about a new product that you want others to buy
-Allow students to show their understanding of a topic in the classroom
-Create a video about a science project showcasing the scientific process
-Create photo brochures of countries that are being studied in a foreign language classroom

-Use as a teaser of what the days events will hold - specific subjects you're going to go over
-Vocabulary words - describe the word, definition, how you could use it, part of speech, etc.
-Assign homework using the Animoto program, as it can be accessed from school or from home.
-Create an presentation on an Amendments by finding pictures to represent the Amendment assigned

Honestly, the possibilities are ENDLESS.

How would YOU use Animoto in your classroom? Answer in the comments on this post!