Animoto

Animoto: video clip illustrating "Me gusta" and "Me gustan," the phrases "I like" in Spanish--a Spanish I activity reviewed in all levels.

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Animoto is so easy to use! I can incorporate this into the classroom in a variety of ways:
 * I can create sample videos that illustrate a certain grammar point, or a vocabulary topic, and then use it in the classroom as an instructional model, or for review purposes. I can even insert prompts/questions to which students can respond orally--and then see the answer verified on the following page/slide.
 * My students can create an Animoto video that demonstrates their comprehension of the grammar, or that helps them to learn vocabulary. In my example above, I inserted pictures of people/things that I liked. After showing the students my sample, I can have them create one of their own--illustrating the people/things that they like (and in the process distinguish between "gusta" and "gustan"). In the past, we have created collages on paper using drawings or magazine cut-outs. This will be much more appealing and attractive.
 * My students can use Animoto to create simple projects of their own: like a quick informational video on a type of Spanish music--origin, style, instruments used, famous musicians within the genre, etc. They can even include a sample of the music as their background theme.
 * I can create a sample "how to" video for grammar points or project specifications, and then embed them on my class wiki for easy reference by my students. They can use this in a "flipped classroom" style, for review while completing assignments or studying for quizzes, or perhaps for assistance in learning when I am unable to be in the classroom.

Animoto is both age-appropriate and interesting to students at the high school level. I have heard them talking about making these videos for other classes, but I've not before considered how I could use it in my classroom setting. This is a fantastic find!