Technological Difficulties
I’m always on the hunt for easy ways my students can create
their own videos. For me, the struggle of creating accounts or having issues
with students logging in to different programs makes my head spin. Downloading
software and finding that programs are not compatible with differing devices is
another real pain. I think many educators are hesitant to try new emerging technology for fear of technological difficulties. That’s why I fell in love with Kapwing! Kapwing is accessible from
every device. There is no necessary log in information for students to enter,
and everything is saved automatically on the cloud. Without those worries in the way, we can spend our time focusing on content and creativity!
Purpose
The site was designed to help users easily create
memes, GIFs, videos, picture slide shows, flashcards, etc. Students simply
start with a blank canvas, like the image below, or use a template.
They can then add images, text, audio, or backgrounds. You can even upload existing videos and stitch clips together. The program is pretty intuitive and students won’t have a hard time trying
to figure out how to format their projects. While it is recommended for grades
4+, I think even students as young as second grade could work with this program.
Educational Uses
The website suggests several ways that this program can enhance
instruction and I've added some ideas of my own. Some ideas of items students can create during collaborative
lessons or library lessons are…
- a meme on a particular history topic
-flashcards for science or math content
-digital storytelling creations
-book trailers
-How-to videos
-a GIF on a book character
-a picture video on a geographic location
-a book summary
I tried the program out and created a very simple meme using
Kapwing’s approved photos and text. It only took me a minute, and I have the
option of publishing/sharing my creation.
This website incorporates the AASL standards of Engage and Explore.
Students will enjoy this creation tool as a way to express their ideas and
curricular knowledge. I think students will embrace combining this digital
media with their school work. I’m impressed with this site and will certainly add it to
my bank of resources to use with my students!
I hadn't heard of Kapwing until the AASL's top list, so I'm glad you did a review of it. I think it sounds phenomenal! I have been wanting to have my students create short videos and this sounds ideal. I love the fact that they have creative options other than videos as well. Great meme by the way! :)
ReplyDeleteI love how accessible this tool seems to be; the ease of access will make it more likely that that my teachers will want to use it. I also appreciate that it gives students more ways to be creative and engage with both technology and their curriculum.
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