Animoto: Video Production
By Kyle Oksiuta
Madison, WI
[email protected]
Tool Introduction
Animoto (accessed at http://www.animoto.com) is a video production tool that allows users to create slideshows by uploading and incorporating pictures, music, video clips, and more into their production. It is a cloud-based, online website software that requires no downloading or installation. Free trials are available for personal use, but they unfortunately include a watermark on the production.
After creating an account, users are given general customization tools for the outline of their video; the first step involves selecting a "style", which generates organized backgrounds, transitions, and effects. From there, a user can create a logo to represent production of the video. The logo can incorporate chosen text and animation effects, both to begin and end the video. Next, the "meat" of the video production occurs as the user uploads (either from their computer hard drive or from various social media utilities--facebook, instagram, twitter, etc.) the images and video clips they want to include. Additional tools include the ability to incorporate text-based slides and re-arrange the order of videos and images presented. Also, the user can choose a song from Animoto's music database to play throughout the slideshow or upload their own file.
To "publish" the video, the user needs to add a title and description, choose a thumbnail, and select a video resolution. When publishing, Animoto presents a survey to the user, requesting feedback on the utility's ease-of-use, asking whether the user would recommend it to a friend, and allowing a free-form text box for any additional comments. The video's link will be shown to the user, along with options to "share" the video via email, youtube, and a host of other options. Various statistical information is available for the user, including view counts and comments. The video can also be downloaded or edited for re-publishing.
By Kyle Oksiuta
Madison, WI
[email protected]
Tool Introduction
Animoto (accessed at http://www.animoto.com) is a video production tool that allows users to create slideshows by uploading and incorporating pictures, music, video clips, and more into their production. It is a cloud-based, online website software that requires no downloading or installation. Free trials are available for personal use, but they unfortunately include a watermark on the production.
After creating an account, users are given general customization tools for the outline of their video; the first step involves selecting a "style", which generates organized backgrounds, transitions, and effects. From there, a user can create a logo to represent production of the video. The logo can incorporate chosen text and animation effects, both to begin and end the video. Next, the "meat" of the video production occurs as the user uploads (either from their computer hard drive or from various social media utilities--facebook, instagram, twitter, etc.) the images and video clips they want to include. Additional tools include the ability to incorporate text-based slides and re-arrange the order of videos and images presented. Also, the user can choose a song from Animoto's music database to play throughout the slideshow or upload their own file.
To "publish" the video, the user needs to add a title and description, choose a thumbnail, and select a video resolution. When publishing, Animoto presents a survey to the user, requesting feedback on the utility's ease-of-use, asking whether the user would recommend it to a friend, and allowing a free-form text box for any additional comments. The video's link will be shown to the user, along with options to "share" the video via email, youtube, and a host of other options. Various statistical information is available for the user, including view counts and comments. The video can also be downloaded or edited for re-publishing.
Tool Weaknesses
Animoto does contain some weaknesses as an assessment tool. The "style" option seems like an appealing feature, but it is also limiting in that it is a forced inclusion. The styles compel background images "around" the uploaded pictures and video, so if there isn't an appropriate style that matches the content, tone, etc. of the video the user is making, it could create a clash of relatability in addition to being distracting.
Additionally, the aforementioned watermark detracts from the quality of the production and immediately disengages the viewer. It can be removed by purchasing an account upgrade, but it's unlikely students will have the desire (or potentially even the money) to do so. There's an age limit of 13 to create an educational account, limited text construction (can't add text on top of an image, for example), a limited selection of songs to choose from (in addition to only being able to select one song for the project), and some image formats aren't accepted by the program. Finally, although the system is relatively easy to use, it may be too difficult/cumbersome for some younger students.
The biggest weakness, though, is the general difficulty in creating authentic and quality assessment for video production in general. "Quantity" style assessment is probably more feasible in that the instructor can perform a "checklist" for number of slides, appropriate content included, and relevant topics ascertained. Animoto in particular for a video production tool is much more designed for "style" over "substance". The weakness of text construction mentioned earlier is especially harmful as only a limited number of words can be presented at a time with restricted formatting options. The assessment would really need to be geared much more heavily toward pictorial presentation of information or by using narrative voice-overs in uploaded video clips.
Animoto does contain some weaknesses as an assessment tool. The "style" option seems like an appealing feature, but it is also limiting in that it is a forced inclusion. The styles compel background images "around" the uploaded pictures and video, so if there isn't an appropriate style that matches the content, tone, etc. of the video the user is making, it could create a clash of relatability in addition to being distracting.
Additionally, the aforementioned watermark detracts from the quality of the production and immediately disengages the viewer. It can be removed by purchasing an account upgrade, but it's unlikely students will have the desire (or potentially even the money) to do so. There's an age limit of 13 to create an educational account, limited text construction (can't add text on top of an image, for example), a limited selection of songs to choose from (in addition to only being able to select one song for the project), and some image formats aren't accepted by the program. Finally, although the system is relatively easy to use, it may be too difficult/cumbersome for some younger students.
The biggest weakness, though, is the general difficulty in creating authentic and quality assessment for video production in general. "Quantity" style assessment is probably more feasible in that the instructor can perform a "checklist" for number of slides, appropriate content included, and relevant topics ascertained. Animoto in particular for a video production tool is much more designed for "style" over "substance". The weakness of text construction mentioned earlier is especially harmful as only a limited number of words can be presented at a time with restricted formatting options. The assessment would really need to be geared much more heavily toward pictorial presentation of information or by using narrative voice-overs in uploaded video clips.
Tool Application
Animoto could be used in an online classroom in a variety of ways. Because of the weaknesses mentioned previously regarding its inability to deliver text-based content effectively, Animoto may be best utilized by exploring its strengths relative to the classroom environment. In the case of online learning, an Animoto production could be an effective "icebreaker" method of students introducing themselves to each other and to the instructor. Online learning typically involves students only knowing their colleagues by name; a video presentation could attach a "face" to members of the virtual classroom. Students could incorporate pictures of their family, pets, favorite activities, etc. along with their favorite song. This could help foster stronger interpersonal communication when students feel invested in one another. As far as more specific classroom content, Animoto could be useful as an assessment tool for projects that rely on imagery--digital storytelling, historical events (images of the Holocaust would be a powerful example), displaying art created by students, showcasing premiere locations in a country or city, etc.
Animoto could be used in an online classroom in a variety of ways. Because of the weaknesses mentioned previously regarding its inability to deliver text-based content effectively, Animoto may be best utilized by exploring its strengths relative to the classroom environment. In the case of online learning, an Animoto production could be an effective "icebreaker" method of students introducing themselves to each other and to the instructor. Online learning typically involves students only knowing their colleagues by name; a video presentation could attach a "face" to members of the virtual classroom. Students could incorporate pictures of their family, pets, favorite activities, etc. along with their favorite song. This could help foster stronger interpersonal communication when students feel invested in one another. As far as more specific classroom content, Animoto could be useful as an assessment tool for projects that rely on imagery--digital storytelling, historical events (images of the Holocaust would be a powerful example), displaying art created by students, showcasing premiere locations in a country or city, etc.
Tool Learning Objective
The learner will produce an video biography of Sigmund Freud using Animoto computer software that will highlight the key points of his life and demonstrate five (5) significant contributions he made to the field of Psychology.
- This objective would be an example of how Animoto could be used in a History of Psychology project where students research and present information on key historical figures. For example, a student could visually show Sigmund Freud, the couch used for psychoanalysis, artistic renditions of the id and superego, etc.
The learner will distinguish the different defense mechanisms by using Animoto computer software to visually depict each of the twelve (12) mechanisms with 100% correctness by utilizing a different example to demonstrate each.
- This objective would be an example of how Animoto could be used in a Personality project where students need to demonstrate their understanding of how the different defense mechanisms help people cope with stressful situations. For example, when showing the "displacement" defense mechanism, a student could first show a picture of a man being yelled at by his boss, followed by a subsequent picture of that same man "displacing" his anger by yelling at his wife or children later that night.