Two posts in this blog have touched on using image editing tools and audio tools in the classroom. A natural progression would be to discuss video tools. The following are a few online tools with which I have experimented.
PowToon
This video tool comes fully equipped with pre-made templates that can easily be edited and updated for your needs. I did not attempt to create one from scratch, but the editing features are similar if you want to make a video all on your own. Music is available to accompany the videos. Check out one I made quickly for a Library Assistant Commercial. I could see students using this as an easy presentation tool and teachers using it to promote their classes for an electives fair. Guidance counselors could create Powtoon videos with steps for scheduling classes and librarians could use it for promoting books and events.
Animoto
I made this video a while back during an electives fair. It is a little longer than permitted for the free membership, but I was able to edit and extend the length with a free educators membership. It is definitely worth it! Animoto uses an audio slideshow format for videos. I have seen teachers use it to highlight a few pictures from a field trip or engaging activity. Students have used animoto in class to create commercials for marketing classes and campaign advertisements for government classes.
Pixiclip
Think of this tool as an online whiteboard. This is a fantastic tool for recording instructions or notes that need to be posted for students who have missed class. You can record your voice and/or a video of yourself as you speak (it pops up in the top left corner of the screen). The rest of the whiteboard is still available to fill with notes, diagrams, or any reminders you want jotted down as you speak. I know many mathematics teachers in my school who post notes online for students to refer to later, or need to access from an absence. Pixiclip allows the teacher to present the notes to class in real time, as well as record it for students not present.
I loved Powtoons and found it really fun to use, though I had a hard time trying to cut time and move things around, so I had to use the template. Other than that, this is a creative tool that I think students will really enjoy doing reports on instead of having to just type them on paper. Thank you for your post!
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