Comic Life
Comic Life appears to have great potential for classroom use. Children could photograph the likes of clay models, puppets or even themselves and insert them into their own story.
Differentiation could include making the task easier using pre-chosen images where only the dialogue needed to be added, or making it more difficult by requiring certain words or sentence types.
The main negative here is that it's very slow when browsing photo albums for an image to insert, but overall I'd be keen to trial this in the classroom.
Reflection - as illustrated in my test effort below, there are many cross-curricular links to be utlised here!
Differentiation could include making the task easier using pre-chosen images where only the dialogue needed to be added, or making it more difficult by requiring certain words or sentence types.
The main negative here is that it's very slow when browsing photo albums for an image to insert, but overall I'd be keen to trial this in the classroom.
Reflection - as illustrated in my test effort below, there are many cross-curricular links to be utlised here!
MonkeyJam
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/9100939.jpg?265)
A resource mentioned for its motion-capture ability, although I'm yet to be convinced. Yes, it is useful for stop-motion and cartoon sketches, but the layout is rather dull, uninviting and somewhat convoluted at times.
MonkeyJam is free, which is obviously a bonus, but I just feel that its application in the classroom would be rightfully overshadowed by more appealing software. My final concern is the file size of the animations as they are pretty sizeable. Each frame is saved individually so you may find that computers/tablets are quickly overrun by monkey-based files.
MonkeyJam is free, which is obviously a bonus, but I just feel that its application in the classroom would be rightfully overshadowed by more appealing software. My final concern is the file size of the animations as they are pretty sizeable. Each frame is saved individually so you may find that computers/tablets are quickly overrun by monkey-based files.
Stick in there!
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/2815729.jpg)
Unfortunately you only really get one go of this because your stickman will always live out the same adventure. However, it may well get young minds in gear and could awaken some hidden ideas for further animation work. Click the image to check it out.
Simon's Cat
An amusing way to start or finish an animation lesson. Follow this link to see more http://www.simonscat.com/
Animoto
I've put Animoto in this section of my website because I don't think it is as clear-cut as just 'Audio and Visual'. The fact that photos and videos can be sequenced to a soundtrack and theme of your choice means that there is the opportunity to really illustrate a good story using this program. Yes, you could do the same with movie-maker and I've posted that on another page, but I'm leaving this here and that's that!
The options availble here include the likes of;
There are, however, still some less-impressive factors that should be mentioned...
The free version only allows for 30-second videos, so this would definitely mean the paid version would be necessary. This basic version also doesn't allow for the full-range of editing options, so in terms of getting maximum use out of Animoto, we're not really talking about a free-to-use program any more.
Anyway, have a look below to check out my basic video. I went for the 'geography-style local-area' approach, but I'm sure you'll see past this and come up with your own ideas.
The options availble here include the likes of;
- re-telling a story that children have learned, showing pictures and text
- recording the children telling the story and setting this audio over pictures, artwork or DT creations
- using digital photos to create a science documentary or a geography-style travel/area review
- showing a sequence of learning to parents/in a school assembly
There are, however, still some less-impressive factors that should be mentioned...
The free version only allows for 30-second videos, so this would definitely mean the paid version would be necessary. This basic version also doesn't allow for the full-range of editing options, so in terms of getting maximum use out of Animoto, we're not really talking about a free-to-use program any more.
Anyway, have a look below to check out my basic video. I went for the 'geography-style local-area' approach, but I'm sure you'll see past this and come up with your own ideas.
Try our slideshow maker at Animoto.