The second piece of web technology that I find particularly interesting is a Web 2.O site called "Animoto". This site is a very user-friendly application that essentially allows you to make slideshows set to music. Animoto allows you to select pictures from a variety of sources; one can choose to upload pictures from their own computer, select pix from an online photo source (like Flickr or Shutterfly), or simply choose pictures from Animoto's reserve stash. When pictures are selected and uploaded, you are then able to arrange them in any order you so desire. From there, Animoto allows you to choose the soundtrack to your slideshow. Again, there are a variety of options; you can select music from your own library on your computer, or choose from the very diverse music bank that Animoto provides. Even after the video is created, Animoto allows you to send it as an email, or as I did, upload it onto a personal page such as a blog, MySpace, Facebook, etc.
Animoto does have certain restrictions that are potential drawbacks. One of the biggest problems is that at first you are given an option to create a "video short" (30-seconds long) or a full-length video, but if you select "full-length", you are met with a screen notifying you that full-length videos cost $3. Another problem is that the animation of the slideshow is completely randomized, leaving you with no input whatsoever as to how the entrance and exit of each picture is customized. Naturally, there are far more options available when one chooses to pay for the video rather than making a 30-second short, so it is a little discouraging to have all of the potential options listed, only to be informed later that most of them are limited to paying customers.
Overall, I think Animoto is a neat tool to have available on the web, and is a slick way to make a quick and easy slideshow presentation. Beyond that, if I were going to make any kind of lengthy, serious slideshow, I would sacrifice the time and effort and use some other software like i-movie or windows movie-maker.
Animoto does have certain restrictions that are potential drawbacks. One of the biggest problems is that at first you are given an option to create a "video short" (30-seconds long) or a full-length video, but if you select "full-length", you are met with a screen notifying you that full-length videos cost $3. Another problem is that the animation of the slideshow is completely randomized, leaving you with no input whatsoever as to how the entrance and exit of each picture is customized. Naturally, there are far more options available when one chooses to pay for the video rather than making a 30-second short, so it is a little discouraging to have all of the potential options listed, only to be informed later that most of them are limited to paying customers.
Overall, I think Animoto is a neat tool to have available on the web, and is a slick way to make a quick and easy slideshow presentation. Beyond that, if I were going to make any kind of lengthy, serious slideshow, I would sacrifice the time and effort and use some other software like i-movie or windows movie-maker.
One of the elementary librarians (Janell Larson at Nunaka Valley) has done some really cool projects with kids on Animoto. I am pretty sure that she said that there is a free upgrade for educators, I will have to ask her. A very powerful tool. I will be interested to see how it compares for you to VoiceThread.
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