BP4_2010401_Web2.0

One of the interesting Web 2.0 tools that I came across was from the listing on the EMDT blog (http://www.fsoblogs.com/emdtms).


It is a site called xtraNormal (http://www.xtranormal.com/).


It is an avatar animation site where you can use their online software or download a Windows program (Mac users will need to use online software or purchase a program like Parallels, that I use that allows for Windows to run as a "virtual machine" on a Mac).


This is an interesting looking tool for making quick animated videos for the classroom and also just for fun, which is refreshing being that education and fun are usually separate pursuits.


They have added recently a set of Presidents (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Clinton, Bush, Obama) that can be brought to life in animated videos. This can be used to make videos on historical figures, history lessons and can help to bring to life these historical characters in a familiar web graphics format and animation that students are familiar with already. It can also be used by the students to demonstrate their knowledge of what they have learned in history class and use their creative talents to tell a story of American history.


Below is a link to a sample video of the Presidents in action that I made with the online program. It is a fictional talk between President Obama and President Bush in the White House:

In just a few minutes I was able to add dialogue for the Presidents and add in

animations for the short movie. The online software features Obama and Bush,

with the Windows program you can access other Presidents and features.

When completed you can have it "film" your video and then it can be displayed

on their site or sent to youtube or even downloaded to your computer.


This is a fascinating Web 2.0 tool that I look to use in the future.