Animoto

WHAT IS IT?
The free version of Animoto allows you and your students to create 30-second videos or presentations with photos, video, music, and text.

HOW TO DO IT?
Educators can apply for a free Animoto for Education account for use in the classroom, but before you do click on the Features tab to get a great overview of the program by clicking on all the links to the left. Applications are processed in the order they are received and may take a few weeks to receive an educator's code that can be used to let students over 13 sign up for an account. Students under 13 use the teacher's account. An educator account is good for six months and then just reapply. However you can sign up for the basic account and start creating videos immediately.

When you are ready to begin, click Create Video. Pick a Video Style that sets the mood for your video. Click Create Video and the click the small print: make a 30-second video for free.

Step 1: Select your images or videos, either your own, from the Animoto library, or from another website. Please remember copyright laws! You cannot upload your video to the web if you are using someone else's images or music without permission. Your best bet is to take your own videos and photos. Here you can also add text to your photos.

Step 2: Choose your music. Animoto has a large library of music to choose from (both with words and instrumental) or you can upload your own. Again if you are planning to publish to the web you should not use copyrighted music without permission.

Step 3: Finalize. When your video is composed, you will receive an email. The program sets your video to music with transitions to fit. It's just that easy!

WHAT TO DO WITH IT?
You can create videos of concepts from math functions to history lessons to play in the classroom. Many times students relate more to something visual rather than to audio alone.

Use Animoto as a free replacement for PowerPoint to create videos on biographies, field trips with your students, digital storytelling, science projects, commercial or public service announcement, simulated field trips, photo brochure of country, etc.

Although a student must be at least 13 to create an account, elementary teachers can use their accounts and students can create a video as a class guided by the teacher using the video projector to show the class the steps. Students still have input; the teacher just punches the keys.

You can share your videos via email, on a blog or website, export to YouTube or TeacherTube, or download to your computer for use in presentations.