Using Animoto in the Classroom

I chose to use Animoto to create a video to practice the question "have you been?"  I think it is an interesting internet tool that can serve a purpose in a modern ESL classroom.  I was surprised at how quick and easy it was to make something interesting and aesthetically pleasing.  There are a couple ways that short videos can be used for ESL purposes.  One way is to create a video that reinforces themes or concepts learned during the lesson.  It can be used to reinforce vocabulary, grammar, and contextual awareness. Teachers can either create videos or have the students create their own videos.  The process of learning how to use Animoto and following the English directions, can also serve to reinforce practical language use by L2 learners. 

It would be interesting as a teacher to see what the full version of the program can do.  The thrity second trial video is just a good example of the potential of the program in the ESL classroom.  With the full version teachers and students can make much longer videos.  For example a teacher could make a video discussing a certain grammar structure or set of vocabulary words and have the student respond with their own videos explaining the grammar or unseeing the vocabulary.  Animoto is another great resource for teachers and students and has great pedagogical implications for the L2 classroom.