Animoto

This week in class we were introduced to the Web 2.0 tool called Animoto. This tool allows users to create 30 second videos for free. The user first chooses a theme and a song to play along with the video. Images or video clips are then uploaded and added to the skeleton of the movie. The final product is short, but can provide a good hook or opener for a lesson in the classroom. One idea that I really liked was taking a virtual field trip. The teacher can put together a video with pictures from a specific place, and students can get a feel for that place or country without really ever having to travel there. The program allows its users more options after the upgrade, but as a free tool it would be pretty fun to use in the classroom. The site itself is easy enough that kids ages 13+ could make their own movies with no problem. 

This is an example of a video I made using the site:





Make your own slideshow with music at Animoto.