ANIMOTO!

**Animoto** produces TV-quality music/voice audio videos using your chosen photos and music from their extensive library (or you can upload your own music/audio using another podcasting tool like Audacity). You can resubmit (re-render)your photos more than once, and each time you will receive a totally unique video--no two videos are ever the same. Sharing them is a cinch as well. Add them to your class blog, wiki, e-mail them, or put them up on a YouTube.  Before using Animoto in the classroom, you will have to register. Animoto offers several pricing options for the average consumer, but **educators get an all access pass, worth $30 a year, for free.**  This will allow you to create an unlimited number of online slideshows that are not restricted in length. So, to get started, you need to click here to get to the Animoto for Education sign up page. Fill in your name, grade level, email, and school on this page. Animoto will vet your details and send you a confirmation email to activate your education class account. This may take a week or more, so plan accordingly . Share the activation link you get with your students so that they too can sign up. Please note that students under 13 have to be using teacher created accounts. This is for the safety and security of your students.
 * __ Animoto: __**

Animoto examples: An animoto of my teaching: http://msfrachetti.wikispaces.com/1st+gr.+projects+by+year Middle School student animotos: http://robertsk8students.wikispaces.com/3rd+Semester+Middle+School+Tech.+Projects For now, please use the student account (with educator access) I set up for my students, as follows) ** 1) Go to [] and click the "Sign In" link at the top; 2) Type this account information: --Password: robertsk8** 3) You will notice several "open" projects (these were started and abandoned by my students) and several finished projects. To create a new video, simple click the link for "Create Video" at the top, right of the page. I usually use the "Animoto Original" as my style (then click "create"), but feel free to experiment with other styles. 4) The first step in the video creation process is to upload your digital images and/or video clips. You can upload all pictures/videos at once (or batch them) if you have them all gathered in one place). I told my students to shoot for a minimum of 35 images for a 2 minute audio track. Animoto's guideline is 8-15 elements (text slides, images, video clips) for every 30 seconds of audio). --If students are importing their own audio (podcast or separate music track), please have them time it to make sure they have enough images/slides);** --A great, FREE music download website is [] (music is organized by style, feel/mood, and is timed); --Once you have all your images and music ready, you will need to have the video "rendered." This process can take quite a while (15 min. or more-depending on the size of your video). Please plan accordingly and be sure the computer you are using can be left alone while rendering.
 * __ Follow these steps: __**
 * --Email address: bobcat1@gmail.com
 * __TIPS:__
 * --Please do not attempt to use music from iTunes (even though you purchased it, as it is encrypted and will not work. MP3 music format will yield the best results.**