is a website that allows users to create unique videos. Users must create accounts. There are free accounts and paid accounts. Paid accounts allow you more choices with backgrounds, characters, and allow you to create longer videos. Free accounts allow only ten lines for typing.
I have used the site with my classes to introduce lessons and in the closure of a lesson to review what we have learned. Students in all of my K-5 classes have loved it!
I have a free account and have used the quick video templates. You select your background, then characters, even select the voice you'd like for them (Personally, I like the British voices and the kids think they're funnier.) and type what you'd like each character to say. You can send videos, and share videos.
As with Blabberize.com, I found myself using this site for personal use as well, because I've been so entertained by it. Enjoy!
This tool is also great for class summaries. :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could find a way to have students create accounts without paying for them or needing an email address. I love that this has a comment feature for videos that have been posted. I did not realize that until we left comments for the class summaries.
GoAnimate so far has been one of my favorite web 2.0 tools to play with. Being able to make animations to explain a topic or to give a presentation is a fun and easy way to get students involved. I have used this to make presentation in some of my other graduate school classes.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was so funny when you made this for your class summary. I loved the accents. I think my students would get a kick out of using this, especially since they don't have to use their own voices. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting tool and I've already given it a try with my students. It is a nuissance having to create those email addresses that students can use to log in but by now I've just created a class set of email addresses that work. I've honestly never thought of using GoAnimate to create summaries but I'm using the tool now for vocabulary work. I found over the years that my students can memorize vocabulary words in isolation but had difficulty using them correctly in context. That's also a demonstrated weakness when it comes to testing and I see the impact on test results. This year I've been having students work collaboratively in groups to create vocabulary skits which we film using a flip camera. Having two flip cameras available for the entire school population made that a logistical nightmare. When I had my students try this tool to produce their vocabulary skits they absolutely loved it. They were laughing hysterically while watching the videos but more importantly they were using the words correctly in context. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteJulie, that is a wonderful idea. I never thought of using it for vocabulary. I'm curious, do you just have them create scripts and use the vocabulary word in conversation? Or do you actually define the word in the video?
ReplyDeleteI haven't allowed the students to sign in yet because I have not created class email addresses, we have just been using it as a whole group at the beginning and/or end of classes to engage and review.
Ashley, I have a pretty solid routine when it comes to vocabulary instruction. The students don't define the words in the video, they have several other opportunities during the week to do that in other ways. I have them work collaboratively to write the script for the skit. The words have to be used correctly in context. I see that as a separate skill, more complex than simply memorizing definitions. I purposely designed the video projects because I just memorizing a definition is not my goal for students. I want them to apply the words in a relevant context.
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