Animoto: Visual Literacy to Engage Learners

ANIMOTO: VISUAL LITERACY TO

ENGAGE LEARNERS

MIDWEST GRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO

TOLEDO, OH

03.21.15A’Kena LongBenton, ABD, EdS

Wayne State University

akenalong@aol.com

GETTING STARTED INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

Poll Everywhere Survey: http://goo.gl/xEYUrr

INTRODUCTION

Animotos are "movie trailer" style video clips that can creatively engage learners. This digital presentation tool uses images, music, and content to engage learners, especially reluctant ones.

Animoto is an easy, web-based technology tool that captures Gagne’s (1965) Nine Events of Instruction:

gain the learner’s attention

present the content

provide learning guidance,

allow learner to practice, etc.

ANIMOTO

Benefits: FREE 30-second videos Class accounts for educators Short-trailer style videos Images, music, and text can be included 300+ songs in music library Customize videos to introduce or summarize class concepts Student engagement Videos are stored in the clouds Have permanent access to videos Can edit and share videos

Web Address: http://www.animoto.com/

30 ANIMOTO VIDEOS

http://goo.gl/gTJVlm

Participants will be given access to nearly thirty Animoto videos that the facilitator has self-created on:

classic literature

novellas

poetry

short stories

writing process

and other disciplines

EVALUATING AN ANIMOTO VIDEO

Using Kirkpatrick's Four Level Evaluation Model

(1959), learners (elementary and middle school

students) evaluated a couple of these Animoto

videos for the facilitator’s dissertation research pilot

study with surprising results.

“The Life Cycle of a Plant” Animoto video evaluation:

http://goo.gl/fUDu9R

WORDS OF

This technology promotes: active and independent learning

application

creativity

critical thinking

problem solving

reflection and not mere comprehension

student engagement

Word of Caution: Soft skills need to be addressed when technologies are used, e.g., time management skills. There are countless technologies and distractions on the internet. If students are not instructor-guided and/or focused, then tons of unproductive time can be spent on the web with no intellectual gains.