Learning Activity 5-D-1

Animation or Video Project

[Individual Wiki Project]

35 points (Assignment & Comment rubric)

1. Pick a topic (either a new topic or the same one you used for Learning Activity 4-A-1) that you will work on when you create your Animation or Video project. The topic should be something authentic that educates your audience in some way. Here are some ideas of possible topics:
   • Web 2.0 tools in education (either in general or pick a specific tool)
   • Benefits of IMPs in education
   • A local issue of importance (school referendums, new community buildings, land use, etc.)
   • How to support diversity in education
   • Highlights from local history (such as profiles of local veterans or the history of a local organization)
   • Your major IMP for this course (although it isn't required to relate this activity to your IMP, some past participants have found it helpful to try out ideas and experiment here)
2. Check out these free online tools for animation:Animoto and Xtranormal. Choose one you would like to use for your project. Note: only the free features of these tools are required for this project.
3. Your animation or video should be about 30 seconds long, just long enough to become familiar with the tool and create a "proof of concept." (Hint: Although Animoto's educator account allows you to create a music video longer than 30 seconds, you should still limit the length and stay focused. If you don't, you may find yourself spending many hours creating this project, and it shouldn't be that involved.)

If you choose to use Animoto follow these directions:

1. For Animoto, you need to find a few images you can use to help communicate your message about your chosen topic. Plan for 7-10 images total, including text images if used. The images can be a photograph, screenshot, or illustration, as long as the file is saved as a .JPG or .GIF file.
   • You can take photos with a digital camera.
   • You can use photos or images from Flickr or another online source. Be sure to note the source of any images you download so you can give proper credit.
2. You can use PicMonkey or PowerPoint to edit or adapt your image so it will be more effective in communicating your message. You may add text, place "stickers" to draw attention or tell a story, or use the effects to change the mood of your image. However, remember that with Animoto that each image will only be seen for a few seconds.
3. Save your edited file as a .JPG using a different file name than your original image file.
   
4. If desired, create some purely text images in either PicMonkey or PowerPoint. Again, remember that each image or slide will be seen for just a few seconds, so limit the text to something that can be read quickly.
   
5. Sign up for a free account with Animoto and follow the directions create your animated short video. If you do not like the first version, you can remix it as many times as you like and Animoto will save each version.
6. Write an explanation of how you created your finished product, what standards it meets, and how your students could use this tool.
   
7. In our class Wiki, submit all three parts of this project:
   • The link to your animated video.
   • Citations for any images or other sources used.
     
   • An explanation of how you created your finished product, what standards it meets, and how your students could use this tool.
8. On the discussion tab on the wiki, give feedback to two others in PQP format. Be sure to identify which project you are replying to.
   

If you chose to use Xtranormal use these directions:

1. Sign up for a free Xtranormal account.
   
2. To get an idea of what kinds of videos you can create check out Facts about Hunger in Children.
3. Write a script for your animation with either 1 or 2 characters.
   
4. Next, create your video: 
   
   • Set your video in the free access world The Playgoz. You can select 1 actor or 2 actors.
     
   • Follow the Xtranormal directions to create your animation. Type your script in the correct box for your actor(s).
     
5. In our class Wiki, submit all three parts of this project:
   • The link to your animated video.
   • Citations for any sources used.
     
   • An explanation of how you created your finished product, what standards it meets, and how your students could use this tool.
6. On the discussion tab on the wiki, give feedback to two others in PQP format. Be sure to identify which project you are replying to.