Welcome to Animoto. As stated on their website, “Animoto automatically produces beautifully orchestrated, completely unique video pieces from your photos, video clips and music. The results are awesome.
Where to start? As teachers were passing through the library, I invited them to see this new Animoto project I had completed. The art teacher decided immediately to take on this task for all 150 of her students. So I collaborated with this teacher and came up with a plan. Students were to write a paper reflecting on their year in art class. Then they were to focus on 3 techniques they learned and highlight them in an Animoto video, using either their own pictures or pictures from Flickr.
Project guidelines were clearly stated by the art teacher. All students received copies of the writing and Animoto assignments. Papers were due before the creation of their videos.
Assesment…Students also received a copy of the grading rubric.
Some of the standards covered include: Using technology responsibly, Demonstrating personal productivity, Using technology to organize and display knowledge, Using creative and artistic formats to express personal learning, respecting copyright, ,and demonstrating confidence and self direction.
Getting Ready…Create an educational account. This will give you full length video making capabilities for you and your students. This must be done at least a week before you begin your project.
You will receive a promo code which must be entered when each student signs up for an account. It is very important to use this code otherwise students will only be able to create a 30 second video. You will receive this handout to write down the code and distribute to the students.
Prior to creating a video, all students will create an account in Flickr.com. Using Flickr. com requires a Yahoo email account. Make sure students all have an email account prior to your class presentation. This will save time.
Create an account in Flickr.com. Once you are signed in, scroll all the way down to the bottom to Creative Commons. This will allow you to use photos without worrying about copyright issues. Remind them that it is illegal to use pictures from Yahoo and Google without permission.
Searching for Images in Creative Commons. Look over the various licenses to see which photos are available for use. It is a wise practice to create a bibliography copying and pasting the URL of each photo used in order to give the photographer credit.
Creating an Animoto Account. When you go to Animoto.com, follow these simple directions and you will begin to create exciting videos. Make sure to type in the promo code.
Follow these step by step guidelines. Download your pictures, then upload those photos to Animoto. To insert text, click on the text boxes. The text is limited per slide. When you are finished selecting photos, select your music and then create your video.
This is Jakala’s finished work is titled Love
Here is Khadijah’s finished project which is entitled…The Artist…The one who created it all.
Make sure students follow directions. The Promo code must be used when signing up. Otherwise their video will only last 30 seconds. The music supplied by Animoto may not appeal to your students. If they upload their own, Make sure they use songs with appropriate lyrics. Also, be sure you are confident in using this program before you try to teach your students.