Danny Tulk
ETEC 565A
Rationale for my Digital Story and breakdown on why I used GoAnimate.com
When deciding on which tool to use to develop my digital story, I took a little time and explored powtoons, ActivInspire, and Toondoo prior to going with GoAnimate as my chosen medium. The final decision to use GoAnimate was predicated by a few decisions that worked for me and my teaching style, these also seem to work within the frame work of Bates SECTIONS format (Bates, 2014). Below, I have broken down each segment of the SECTIONS model and how it applied to the use of GoAnimate and the Digital Story.
My Digital Story was used as a means of engaging the student and introducing them to myself, the benefits of playing music, and the fudimental elements of the class. It would be my hope that the video would help students feel comfortable with me and the course, as well as set the tone and expectations for the class.
| S – Students | I have always been an advocate for the idea that we need to teach where our students are. The idea that, if you build it they will learn, does not seem to work, as we would like. I decided to use of graphics, music, and dialogue would make for a multi-media presentation that would engage and entertain students and be accessible from any internet connected device, such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone. |
| E – Ease of Use | This is another great benefit of Go Animate.
Ease of use for the Teacher: The program is very much a click and drag system with limitless customizations. However, the stock scene are varied and have built in graphics and timings that allow the teacher, or creator, to make video in a timely fashion without too much stress.
Ease for use for the Student: This is where the program really gets great. The videos are downloadable and can be shared in multiple formats and dozens of platforms directly from the site. Subsequently, students do not need to have special software, logins, or access to see the video. The Videos can easily be embedded into youtube, google, etc… |
| C – Cost | Maybe the biggest downfall for the program. As teachers we are always looks to save or get a resource for free. However, GoAnimate is a private company and gets its money from subscribers. So I did have to pay $39 for the month. There is a Trial program that offers a limited version, but it would not develop the quality I wanted.
The reality is that the price is not enough to dissuade me from using it and the add free and quick operation is actually rather nice and smooth. Also, the fee also covers the use of copyrighted images and music for videos.
Finally, there is no cost or the student to access the videos and the owner has the rights to use the video where he/she sees fit. |
| T – Teaching Function | It makes a great tool for review or introducing topics, or the course in general.
In my instance and for my Digital Story. I used the video to introduce myself to the class, outline the benefits of playing music, and introduce the major topics of the class. It is a great way to break the ice, as it were, as well as set the tone and expectations for students. |
| I – Interaction | The medium of video does not really offer interaction. The Digital Story is very much a sit a get example. However, they are encouraged in the first lessons of the class to create there own introductory video. |
| O – Organizational Issues | No real issue here. The only real problem I see it setting precedence for teachers spending their personal money on program and resources (which we all do already). There might also be an issue if your school district / organization has blocked websites or slow internet speed and fairly fast computer and internet connection is required to get the most of the program.
Also, as it is hosted completely on-line, you would need access. But, this also allows the user to access anywhere and on any device. |
| N – Networking | This is another great use of the program, as it is on-line based, you are not ties to a specific workstation, network, or server. Also, it saves on there website so you can have access anywhere and there is no fear of having the project deleted.
Also, even after you have finished the assignment you can go back and access it and make changes. In this way the format is able to evolve with the course, |
| S – Security and Privacy | The program does not require much personal information, with the exception of a credit card, to use. You may upload your own photos, but may also use stock photos.
Once you download the video, it is just a file and no user need to login or access the site to see what you have created. So, your user name and info is safe and no private info needs to be shared.
There is always the risk of using a private company, but I have never had an issued with Go Animate. |
Bates, T. (2014). Choosing and using media in education: The SECTIONS model. In Teaching in digital age. Retrieved from https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/part/9-pedagogical-differences-between-media/