Animoto
Have you wanted to have your students create simple videos using photos on any tablet or smartphone? Animoto is a simple app that can help you do just this. These videos are simple, but have endless possibilities. Simply upload photos that you want to use in your video (through the app or on a computer) and arrange them, caption them, and change the video style. Animoto can be the tool that students use to create their own videos that they will be proud to show off! This app can be used through the computer or downloaded onto any smart device.
Negatives: One negative that I noticed was with the app. When you upload pictures and add captions, the caption sits in the middle of the photo. Through the computer, the user can change where the caption is positioned but I was unable to find this same option on the app. Another thing that I noticed about Animoto was that it was not completely custom. For example, you are unable to change the transitions between photos. You also can't change the font, color scheme, etc. through the app.
Lesson Ideas: TEACHERS! This is a GREAT app to use for students because it can create a video in seconds. Students can easily upload photos to this app and create a video quickly so it does not eat up all of their time. This would be great to add to a menu project in any subject area. Each student can then decide how they want to use Animoto to show the assignment. For example, if you are teaching about a specific time in US History, the students can search (safely) for images of this time. They can also add captions to describe each photo. Another example would be a book report. Students could recreate (through puppets, drawings, etc.) the major aspects of their book (i.e., characters, setting, plot, problem, solution, etc.) that they read and take pictures of these things to upload into a video.
Below are some screenshots that could be helpful to know about for when you sign up for your account.
This screen is the first screen that appears when you sign into your account. From here you can create the two different types of videos. This screen is NOT the screen that appears when you select the Animoto icon at the top left corner of your account.
This IS the screen that appears when you select the Animoto icon at the top left corner. The screen shows your videos that you have created. If you have not yet created any videos, there will be nothing here.
At the top right of this screen, you can access your videos, pricing information to upgrade, the Animoto blog, create new videos, and your account settings.
There are two options of the types of videos that you can create. They both use photos, but one is more of a slideshow while the other creates a more put together video for marketing purposes. Below I have added two galleries that will show you how to create each of the two types of videos through the computer.
SLIDESHOW VIDEO
MARKETING VIDEO
This is not just a computer program so below I have included important features of the app. The app does not allow you to change as much as you can on the computer but it is enough for students to create a great video quickly.
If you would like to view the three videos that I created (it took me minutes to make them), the links will be posted below. Click the words below to be redirected to the videos.
This is a great app for students to create amazing videos quickly in the classroom or at home. Try it out in your classroom today!
