Animoto

__//Animoto//__ **by: Alicia Rescigno**

Animoto is a wonderful website to use in any classroom. Animoto is a web 2.0 tool that enables anyone to use their digital media and make videos. For classroom purposes, this tool can be used to:


 * Introduce a new study topic
 * Give a mini-lesson
 * Enhance feelings and emotions of a topic
 * Help students visualize definitions
 * Help students comprehend new topics and definitions through music and visuals
 * Contrast
 * Intrigue students to learn material in a new and innovative way

UDL is incorporated with Animoto. This tool is easy for anyone to use and allows students to be creative with their work. Students can use their own pictures and even their own music to express a topic or idea that they have. Animoto can engage students to get to work.

Animoto features a guideline to help students get started on their projects. This is a great advantage for students who need a bit of a "push" when they are unsure of where to start. The topics featured are anything from birthdays to a starry night. This site also offers an educational portion for teachers. Teachers can sign up for free and create videos for presentations and highlight specific and important details. You can also upload your own music which allows students to feel they can express themselves in a personal way.

There is not much more to offer than making videos with music and photos, however this is for the free subscribers. If subscribers decide to pay for the Plus or Pro plans, more features are offered, but these are just video and music features. Subscribers with the Animoto Lite, only have access to a 30 second presentation. This is great for teachers who need just a quick and interesting introduction or mini lesson, but not for a full-length lesson. Also, uploading your own music can be done, but it is easier with the Plus or Pro plan instead of Lite.

Attached below is a 30-second video I made with some of my pictures from my preschool class. Enjoy!

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