These videos are not videos that you record and then upload to PowToon to edit, crop and add transitions. Instead, you start off with a template where you add content, images and text, to a slide and animate it. When I was first introduced to this tool (BIG thanks to Mr. Zeller, @monsiuerzeller), I immediately thought to the '______ in Plain English' videos by the common craft. To me, these videos were engaging due to the fact that they were different and creative. The amount it must have taken to cut out all of those pictures! To see a sample of what I am talking about, watch the Twitter in Plain English Video:
Powtoon has created a quick video explaining what they are all about. As you will see, it is very easy to to use:
- PowToon has a great selection of pre-made images right in their program. You also have the ability to add your own images as well.
- With each image/text you are able to decide how you want it to appear on the slide.
- You are able to add background music
- You can even record your own voice to be played throughout the PowToon
- You can add as many slides as you want (but remember if you want to keep your audience - don't make a video that is too long! A good rule of thumb for me is not to show something that is longer than 3 minutes)
- Each slide can be as long or as short as you want
It is important to note that PowToon allows you 30 free exports to YouTube under the free account. But don't worry, you do not have to export your PowToon to YouTube. Once you are done with your PowToon, you can just share the link to your newly created animated video without exporting it outside of PowToon itself. I also like the fact that you are able to grab an embed code to have your PowToon embedded on another website or blog. Lastly, I have to admit, I rather enjoy the ending of each PowToon when it says....'Created Using PowToon'.
Examples of PowToons
This tool can be used in many different ways:
- Pitching a product
- Explaining a Concept
- Teaching a Lesson
Below, you will find three different ways we have integrated this web 2.0 tool at BHS over the past 7 months.
Instructing Students
When introducing what a backchannel was to Mrs. Pearson's IB Film Studies class, I showed this PowToon. While I have given the backchannel presentation to Mrs. Pearson's class before in past years, I thought that this video enhanced the discussion/conversation.
Informing Staff
We are currently in the process of having our school become an accredited school. The NEASC committee at BHS decided that it would be a great way to inform the staff about the different standards that we will be assessed on through the means of PowToons. I thought that this was a great way to get people engaged rather than a couple teachers standing in front of the entire staff at a staff meeting spitting out words about their committees. The best part is that the NEASC committee came up with this idea all on their own! So Proud! The following link will bring you to the PowToon regarding NEASC Committee #3 - Instruction, made by Mr. Cannon (@Cannonland).
While Cannon's PowToon is listed here, I give the entire NEASC committee props for taking the time to make videos for their staff as it sure was a lot more work to do that than to just list verbally what each standard committee would be in charge of!
While Cannon's PowToon is listed here, I give the entire NEASC committee props for taking the time to make videos for their staff as it sure was a lot more work to do that than to just list verbally what each standard committee would be in charge of!
Student Work
A couple of teachers this year have decided to incorporate PowToons in their curriculum. One teacher in particular is Mrs. O'Connell. Mrs. O'Connell teaches the Canterbury Tales in her AP Literature and Composition. She decided that during the reading of this book, she would have students be responsible for sharing out to the class different tales through the means of a PowToon, instead of a typical presentation to the class or written paper. Students were broken up into groups and were given a tale. Then, the students were tasked with finding a way to portray what happened in the tale. Below are two examples of student work from the class:
The Prioress's Tale by Jonathan Greiner and Abby Kokkinos
The Wife of Bath's Prologue by Kelly Gibbons, Annie McEwen, and Mary Spencer
So there you have it, three different ways PowToon has already been used at Bedford High School. I look forward to seeing how it will be integrated into our bulldog family in the future. As always, if you have any questions regarding how to use this tool or you just want to bounce ideas, just stop by room 222!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Leave a comment here