Youtube can be a teacher's best friend! The resources available there and the ease of use make it a valuable asset for educators. Having students make their own videos for Youtube is taking it to a whole new level. For older students taking technology or production classes, I can see that these would be a great way for students to demonstrate understanding of the movie making process. On the Youtube channels we explored, I really liked the science experiment videos where students shot multiple phases of the experiment. When a problem occurred, they corrected the problem and tried again. Many of them had great editing, music and transitions that other student would enjoy watching while also learning about the science experiment.
I think the mini-lessons are a great way for students to access and revisit pertinent information about research. I can see how this would be crucial for high school students who are expected to independently research and cite their sources.
Animoto
I was looking forward to working with Animoto because I've heard about librarians using this with students who want to make book trailers. Unfortunately, it was an exercise in frustration for me. I have used several movie making programs including iMovie so I came into Animoto with expectations about customization. There was little opportunity for customizing the text placement, picture sizing and zoom, and there was little rhyme or reason to how any of it was displayed. My book trailer turned out only ok, but the perfectionist in me wished I could have had more control over the final product.
For my book trailer, I chose The Terrible Two by Jory John and Mac Barnett. It is a bluebonnet book this year and is probably the first book my son has voluntarily read from cover to cover.
When master prankster Miles Murphy moves to sleepy Yawnee Valley, he challenges the local mystery prankster in an epic battle of tricks, but soon the two join forces to pull off the biggest prank ever seen.
I've seen QR codes used as way to send students exploring around the library on a scavenger hunt. Students used an iPad to read about the sections of the library and watch book trailers. I like the idea of using QR codes as a walking exhibit, having students move around the library or school to search for codes and utilize technology to learn in a unique way.
Linking students to online resources and e-book websites is also a great way to use QR codes in a practical way. Promoting those resources on bookmarks and posters is also great idea! Of course, all of this relies on users having access to a device to read these codes. Librarians would have to be intentional is their utilization of this technology making sure it matches up with the school's resources.
Sources:
Amazon. The Terrible Two (2015). Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Terrible-Two-Mac-Barnett/dp/1419714910/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477876760&sr=8-1&keywords=terrible+two
Cornell, Kevin. (2015). Images retrieved from http://terribletwo.com
BBSMedia (2016, Sept. 23). Caroline's Director Video. https://www.youtube.com/user/bbmsmedia/videos
Animoto.com
Even though I understand your frustration with the lack of customization in Animoto, you did an awesome job! I love the pictures, are they the illustrations in the book? Did you take the pictures yourself? I was worried about using the actual illustrations so I used the advanced search options in Google to find pictures with usage rights labeled as "free to use share or modify" - I think the actual illustrations would have been a better choice, but I'm a chicken about copyright! :):)
ReplyDeleteLoved your trailer, good job. That was such a hilarious book. I just checked out the second one from our library, can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea how awesome Youtube can be! And yes, it will be my best friend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea of using QR codes as walking exhibits. One teacher at our school uses them around in centers so that the students click on the QR code, then through the side she lets them know what they should be doing their and she posts pictures of examples of the finished product.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your assessment of Animoto. Anyone who is a perfectionist might get a little irritated! :)
ReplyDeleteI like what you said about Youtube being a teachers best friend. Students love to see videos and we need to keep up with what our students are engaged in. Loved your Book trailer.
ReplyDeleteI agree that animoto may not be the most user friendly, option filled site (especially for someone adept at making trailers with other programs). I do think; however, it is good for a total noob like myself :) haha! it was so simple i couldn't fail, which is a good feeling!
ReplyDeleteThe thing you said about walking exhibits......Every spring, the US History teachers use the library as a museum of the 20th century. Wouldn't it be neat, in addition to the awesome exhibits the students make, if there were QR codes where they could find more information? I think I will mention it to my school librarians so that they can mention it to the US History team.
ReplyDeleteDon't be so hard on yourself! You did a good job on your trailer. It looks like a book many children would like to read. Animoto doesn't have a lot of editing options, but it is a good place to start for novices at making book trailers.
ReplyDeleteI am also excited to have students create videos to share! I agree with you about the lack of options for customization within Animoto, but I was thinking, that might not be a bad thing if you had students use the app to create something that needs to be done quickly. Thanks for sharing!
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