GoAnimate.com

GoAnimate.com

A Review

The website goanimate.com is a program that lets users choose characters, 

settings, and dialogue to create short videos. 

(image source)

With this application, users select the setting in which they want their movie to take place and the characters they wish to have in the video. Then, the user can either type in the dialogue they wish for the characters to have, or they can record their own voice saying the dialogue. If the user types in the dialogue, they can then pick the voice they want the character to have. Additionally, the user can select the kind of emotion the character will have when the dialogue is being said. Once it is done, the user must add a title and can have the video published. Then it's ready to watch!

I think this program is a very good resource for teachers. They can create scenes that depict important aspects of the ideas they are trying most to get across to students. Especially with social studies or English classes, this program is very helpful. If an elementary school teacher is using the program, he or she can make a movie about the importance of respect or a reenactment of an important scene from a book. With older students, teachers can also create movies about topics being covered in class, only with more complicated or more advanced topics, such as presidential topics (like in the sample video below). Additionally, foreign language teachers can present dialogue in a different way with this program. By showing a video in class with this program, students of all ages will be entertained and educated.

This program can also be used by students. I don't believe it's easy enough for elementary school students to use, but I think middle school and high school students would not only easily understand the program, but they would also have fun with it and would learn the material well. Older users can reenact historical events, depict scenes from a novel, speak in a second language (for a foreign language course), or even just create entertaining videos with some kind of educational or moral background. 

I think this application is motivating and inspiring to students because it offers a new way to look at a topic. It may be easier for students to understand a concept if they see or create a video about it. Not only is a it a fun way to be educated, it's also a great way to foster creativity. 

If the videos are being made by students (as opposed to teachers), I think the program is best used in a collaborative manner. Students can be put into small groups and make the videos. With ideas from multiple people, it can be a great way for students to interact. Plus, each student can use his or her voice on the recording of the dialogue. Then, each group can present their videos to the class. 

Here is my sample video that I created. I was trying out the different emotions, characters, and voices that were offered on the program. The theme that was given was the presidential election.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

Overall...
User-friendly: low
Image/Audio quality: high
Educational level: low
Entertainment level: high
Burnout likelihood: likely

Click here to use GoAnimate!