Since Richardson’s book did not have discussions on presentation tools I looked to the internet to see what people had to say. Here are two reviews of Animoto:
Primary Learning Technologies Network by Chris Pearson:
http://www.ltnetwork.edublogs.org/animoto
• Can be used to create powerful multimedia quickly and easily.
• helps to promote an understanding of visual literacy
• Students can shoot and/or collect potent images,
• Students can create powerful verbal audio to accompany their images or compose songs to accompany their visuals.
• provokes the student to consider both the impact of their work and the media choosen for that work.
• When embedded in other web 2.0 tools it encourages real world feedback on student work.
• Can be used for literacy assessment
Trey Ratcliff’s blog on Animoto: http://www.stuckincustoms.com/animoto-review/
Benefits of Animoto
• Easy to use and fairly idiot-proof
• Make something that looks professional even if you are a rookie, hack, miscreant, or all three
• The video is online immediately and very easy for you to embed into your website, blog, and the like
• Looking to deliver an “added feature” to your clients, this is something that is easy and has an amazing “wow” factor
Reasons Not to Use Animoto
• Do you already have a Mac and iPhoto + iMovie? If so, you can create very similar effects with these programs… However, these are a little harder to use and don’t have some of the “themes” that Animoto offers
• You only have a few photos or very little “source” material. Animoto can’t help you with that
• Cost – if you are on a super-tight budget, then the “free” parts of Animoto might not have enough power for you
Comments by other reviewers on this site:
David: “i have been using Animoto for over a year now and find one thing annoying…you are limited to the length of the song you choose in the presentation. I would like to see the capability of using more than one song back-to-back. I find the use of video and still photos to be particularly effective. However, this increases the overall length of the Animoto production and requires a longer tune. Their choices aren’t particularly great, and you must be careful of copyright laws using other music. Overall, I would give it an “A” grade for wow factor, a B+ for ease of use, but maybe a C for flexibility.”
Jake Laughlin “I love everything but the music choices. I wish there was a way to use your own music! Otherwise, I have no complaints!”
I agreee with many of their ideas. The length of the video depends on the length of the song. You have limited choices when it comes to the music. I didn't have any issue with the pictures because they were mine and the quality was fine. Again, if you want the upgraded version, you can do much more, but you have to pay for it.
I would still use this with my students! It is so simple to teach and very effective. I am now giving it a two thumbs up!
Val
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