Teaching History

Here is a powerful way to teach history. Let us know of some lesson plan ideas you get after watching the video.

Pronto Videos

Animoto.com enables you to make a quick video by using your own pictures and by adding music from the site or your own sound files. Once you import the pictures, you then import the music. After both the pictures and music are inserted, you hit a button to complete the process, and the site blends the images and music into a movie. One drawback to the site is that to make full use of it, you need to pay a fee, and as you work yourself through your first free movie, the site reminds you of the upgrade. The free version allows for producing only a 30-second movie. Take a look at the site, and let us know what you think. I did a quick video with the site, and had mixed reactions to the final product. Have any of you used the site, or know of anyone who does? If so, what have you heard?

Here is the link to the movie that I created in a few minutes: Trial
Use this clickable link to access a blog posting on Discovery Education from an Animoto user who enjoyed using the site:
http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/mdbarger/2008/04/17/awesome-astounding-animoto/

Image is from the Discovery Ed. blog.

Go Animate

GoAnimate is a site where teachers, students, and others can create quick animated videos. Here is an example of a 45-second animation focused on teens. Check out the site GoAnimate, and take some time to view other animations. Let us know what you see as the potential for this site in the school setting.
GoAnimate.com: School News for Teens! FREE TV Show Opening! by gwyneth

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!