Digital Animations

 

Playing with animation, video and sound on various iPad apps

I have the Screenchomp app (by Techsmith) on my iPad.  It was free (that's always good news) and is for screencasting.  Almost sound like I know what I'm talking about now... :)
I made a short video and it was extremely easy.  However, I'm unsure how to 'shrink' the size.  Therefore it seems I'm unable to share it on here.
This is the link and hopefully it will work.
http://www.screenchomp.com/t/a786KmCoxxYN
It does take a while to load, but aside from these issues, I still think there could be a lot of room in the classroom for apps such as these.  

The app allows you to draw on a blank screen or a photo or other background, and record audio whilst drawing.  This gives the feel of an animation.  I've heard of teachers using it to record the steps to algebraic equations.  Or record their lesson for later viewing.  You are able to pause the recording as you pull up relevant pictures to show on the 'whiteboard'.  It's a Keeper!
Students could use this to explain a concept where they feel the need to draw as they explain (like my Daughter).

StoryKit app by Alex Quinn was very easy to use.  It looks very 'basic' but there are lots of possibilities with this one.  Students are able to add hand-drawn (on iPad screen) pictures, sounds and text to their book.  You can create many pages and then give your book a title.  When you wish to read the book, you can tap on the speaker icons if used to hear the audio.  The app says it has the ability to share but as yet, it seems to time out each time I try.  But if students have access to iPads it will save their stories, for later viewing by teacher, peers and parents.  Could be great for assessment of creative writing or could be used as a journal for recounts of field trips etc.  Could be particularly useful for visual/auditory learners in the classroom that wish to present in a form other than written.

Puppet Pals 2 app by polishedplay.com   OMG!!!  Its amazing.  FREE!!!  Amazing.  My daughter loves it.  You can choose a location (setting) which scrolls as you move animated puppets.  They appear to talk (their lips move in time with your voice).  You can make them get bigger or smaller (foreground or background).  This app has huge appeal for having students 'perform' poems, stories etc. After recording, you can share via email.  There are a small selection of characters and settings to choose from (although more available in the paid version which I couldn't resist at $5.49).  But definitely enough for students to play with.  Useful for teaching about voice, tone, pitch and performance.  Also great for kids that are shy to be in front of the camera.  Although, my daughter just showed me that you can in fact take a picture of your face and use it as the head of one of the characters....scary to me, but very amusing to students, no doubt!!


My daughter made a puppet pal animation and I am currently trying to upload it here.  It is taking a bit of doing...for starters it had to email me the file, (5.4MB) so I'm trying to upload it to youtube in the hope that it will shrink it for ease of viewing/downloading.

Ok here goes...