Here is an Animoto I made in an attempt to share a rather awkward situation I recently PUT MYSELF IN, by opening my mouth on Twitter.
Overall, I found using Animoto to be challenging (especially the free version). It was like using Windows Movie Maker, but with less options. I hated how I couldn't change the length of each frame, because it took me a lot of re-configuring to get the "picture" frames to be long enough for the audience to actually read them. At first, the text frames were way too long too, and there is no easy way to fix that like there is in movie maker.
HOWEVER! The limitations did force me to really condense what I wanted to say- leaving out the fun things I might say for suspense and craft, and to really just cut to the chase- right to the nitty-gritty of what I wanted to communicate.
As a teacher, I found it frustrating, but I think students would enjoy using Animoto. It would force them to be brief and to include things that are the most important (you should see my kids with Powerpoint, animations, slide transitions, image rotations... it's incredible).
In terms of my awkward Tweet situation, we'll have to see what the department head of social studies says when he sees it. YIKES! I was only speaking the truth. They purchased this (very) expensive program that no one at my school has even used because we have no clue how to use it. Maybe my Twitter faux pas will lead to some additional PD. It's an unorthodox way to go about it, but none-the-less...
Losing my job in 140 characters or less.
Overall, I found using Animoto to be challenging (especially the free version). It was like using Windows Movie Maker, but with less options. I hated how I couldn't change the length of each frame, because it took me a lot of re-configuring to get the "picture" frames to be long enough for the audience to actually read them. At first, the text frames were way too long too, and there is no easy way to fix that like there is in movie maker.
HOWEVER! The limitations did force me to really condense what I wanted to say- leaving out the fun things I might say for suspense and craft, and to really just cut to the chase- right to the nitty-gritty of what I wanted to communicate.
As a teacher, I found it frustrating, but I think students would enjoy using Animoto. It would force them to be brief and to include things that are the most important (you should see my kids with Powerpoint, animations, slide transitions, image rotations... it's incredible).
In terms of my awkward Tweet situation, we'll have to see what the department head of social studies says when he sees it. YIKES! I was only speaking the truth. They purchased this (very) expensive program that no one at my school has even used because we have no clue how to use it. Maybe my Twitter faux pas will lead to some additional PD. It's an unorthodox way to go about it, but none-the-less...
This made my day!
ReplyDeleteChristal - You are unbelievably witty, and this post made me laugh out loud! We all have to vent now and then, so good for you!
ReplyDelete