Animoto - Thanks to Yvette

My friend Yvette creates the most stunning floral and button bouquets for all occassions. I am a regular visitor to her business facebook page at Over The Top Floristry. http://www.facebook.com/#!/overthetopfloristry

A week ago her status post (advertisement) took my eye. This time it wasn't the fabulous bouquets that I was intereseted in, it was the digital tool being used that grabbed my attention. Take a look: http://animoto.com/play/fFXq1D4FqMepx4UME3ECqA

Animoto is a Web 2.0 digital tool. It is found at www.animoto.com . Anyone can use Animoto to create videos and presentations using images, video clips, music and text. I have signed up to Animoto. It is free if you are creating 30 second clips however Educators can create longer clips for classroom use free. I was unable to sign up as an educator without a school email address.

My research involved asking Yvette about Animoto for her work as well as asking if her children could use it (Grade 8 & 3). Her response was very positive:

"Hi Louise, I've used Animoto for 3 years now and love it, very easty to use, Jake (Grade 8) uses it all the time too. You may use my video. The best way to use it is to make a Powerpoint with all your info, don't overload each page with too much info. I do the free 30 second video. It gives you the option to put music to it and they have a huge music database. Once the movie is made it gives you the option to post onto all social media sites. It's quick and fun and only basic skills needed. Have fun because it is fun." Yvette H. - Over The Top Floristry

Tomorrow I aim to test drive Animoto with my children (ages 12, 9 & 7 years) and our Easter Holiday photos.

Potentially the Pluses are that Animoto is free, easy to use (including use by children), instant results with publishing. Choosing the acompanying music stimulates another sense so may appeal and influence the auditory learners.

Minuses could potentially be that there are many advertisements (this may not be the case on the Educator's site which I was unable to access). There is also to potential to make presentations too complicated with tracking, fading, too much visual information etc. - the old KISS rule should apply - Keep It Simple Silly.

In a Primary setting I would like to try Animoto out for recount situations (eg. class performace on stage or class trips). I can see potential for show and tell or news situations. Documenting a process like building a structure or the life cycle of a plant could be done with Animoto also. My children want to turn our holiday photos into a 30 second visual that they can embed in an email to friends and family - like a modern day postcard!