Week Five Workshop Reflection

The idea of this session was the concept of creating digital movies online. The resources provided today once again catered for flexibility whereby the activities had the capability of being used within many topics of the curriculum. Going through several components, we were introduced to numerous resources in the lesson. For that reason, I have chosen to only make mention of a few of the websites utilised, whereby I have tried to outline the advantages and disadvantages seen within them.

Dvolver

Dvolver was one of the first websites we had a look at. This website allows the user to generate their own movie using creative tools. The MovieMaker software assists in constructing a movie with a few simple steps. Generated movies can then be posted on your own personal website or sent to a friend.

Having a browse through the website, I found it predominantly easy to choose characters, insert word bubbles, type in my own comments, add music and incorporate a selection of animations. I was able to create a movie within five minutes, which I found quiet amusing. My movie can be viewed by clicking on the following URL; http://www.dvolver.com/live/movies-448179

I personally wouldn’t choose to use this resource within my classroom. The selection of some of the characters seems to be somewhat explicit and I found some of the settings provided to utilise within the movie were inappropriate.

Zimmer Twins

If I was to implement such an activity within my classroom, I believe it would be more appropriate to go with a website such as the Zimmer Twins (www.zimmertwins.com). This website caters for the same purposes however seems to be more suitable for the minds of primary school children.

Build Your Wild Self

This website allows students to let their fantasies run free and bring their wildest imaginary characters to life. By first designing a humanised character, the website gives children the opportunity to then choose animals parts and potentially ‘go wild,’ creating an intensely imaginative character.

Not feeling very creative, I produced a character of a male school boy. I have made reference to him in the image below.

Such activities can be used in conjunction with the English curriculum. Children can use these resources to invent characters and write a creative story with the incorporation of such characters. These websites can also be integrated into the students’ literacy programs. Children can work in groups and be asked to change the ending of a story. They will be encouraged to collaborate their ideas and express them in form of an animation using one of the MovieMaker websites, mentioned above.

Sketch Swap

This website allows the user to create a sketch, which is approved by the server and is then ‘swapped’ with a drawing that somebody else has previously created on the website. Being relatively interesting, this is a resource I would predominantly not allow within my classroom. Even though the website claims the images are approved by the server, you potentially do not know what you will be receiving in return of your sketch. Coming across as a fairly innocent website, I believe I would rather be safe than sorry.

With these websites offering many advantages and minor potential disadvantages, I further reinforce the notion of testing such websites before exposing children within the classroom to them. With a selection of features; these websites can be highly interactive, amusing and educational all at the same time. I believe using such resources to create variety in the classroom is needed to ensure children remain engaged and focused.