Animoto in Action

As any traveler knows the best laid travel plans do not always come to fruition.  Case in point, this past weeks Web 2.0 destination was “blogging” and although I did make a pit stop there most of the week was spent playing at the “Animoto” website. 

Animoto is a free digital storytelling website that allows the creator to combine digital content with narration.  It is a fun and easy way to create and share your professional quality videos. 

Setting up an Animoto account is easy, just go to Animoto and register for a free account.  This free account will allow you to make as many 30 second videos as you would like.  The free account allows for approximately 12 – 15 photos. This is not a lot but it gives the consumer the opportunity to test drive the product before selecting a more advanced option.  Once uploaded photos can be manipulated in the slide sorter and even “spotlighted” if so desired. (Brisco, 2008) After three short videos I was hooked and paid the $30 annual free for unlimited 10 minute videos.

As a personal Web 2.0 tool, Animoto has many attractive features.  It enables the creator to incorporated text with still photos and video clips; creating a personalized high quality video.  Animoto is easy to manipulate and all processing, including editing, is done behind the scenes by the Animoto programmers.  My nine year old created a short video using a collection of photos from a recent trip to Bermuda.  She was able to upload the still pictures and select her own music from the library within a matter of minutes.

Bermuda 2011






Animoto is a Web 2.0 tool that can also be utilized by educators.  Educators can sign up for Animoto for Education to provide student access to this resource.  To set up an Animoto for Education account, go to http://animoto.com/education/apply.  Make sure to register your free account with Animoto first.  Animoto will email a confirmation and student code once you have been approved. Your students are then able to access free picture and video sites for uploading into their video creations.  This feature prevents any copy right infringements.  Music added by students may be either their own or selected from a variety of genres provided by Animoto or sites that allow Creative Commons use of music. Students can customize their playback in the final step of creation and then sit back and wait (approximately five minutes) while Animoto renders their video masterpiece.  When completed the video may be viewed, downloaded or uploaded to the Web.

   Many librarians are choosing 21^st Century technologies to share resources with students and teachers, and after trying Animoto I can understand why.  Rather than the traditional PowerPoint presentation an Animoto creation presents itself like an MTV video, which is much more appealing to middle and high school students.  Librarians can use Animoto to introduce concepts, create excitement for new ideas, or even promote books all with a musical element.  “As one of the more eye-catching and easy-to-use programs available in this remixed 2.0 world, this is a definite must-have, must-share tool for every school librarian’s toolkit. (Brisco, 2009). The following is a “book talk” created using Animoto to promote, Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, which can be found in our school library.

Hunger Games

Animoto is a powerful tool which I will continue to “play with”. Stay tuned for more on my Animoto adventures.

Readings:

Brisco, S. (2009). School Library Journal's 10 Best Digital Resources for 2009. School Library Journal, 55(6), 36-37. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Brisco, S. (2008). ANIMOTO. School Library Journal, 54(7), 64. Retrieved from EBSCOhost

Brisco, S. (2009). A 2.0 TOOLKIT. School Library Journal, 55(8), 61-62. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Bryne, R. (2010). Tools for Young Auteurs. School Library Journal, 56(11), 16. Retrieved from EBSCOhost