Go Animate is a web based program which makes 2D comic book style animations with either speech bubbles or recorded speech.
There are a range of pre-built characters and backgrounds and it is also possible to customise the characters. Characters can be animated to walk and gesture.
Use of the web interface is free after registration and there are free characters and backgrounds. Other characters have to be paid for, as does customisation of characters. Payment amounts are small per character.
Xtranormal State animates 3D (ish) characters and backgrounds. It has a web interface which allows editing of the characters and a program which can be downloaded. The free downloadable program gives more control over the characters and the characters can be made to walk, unlike with the web interface.
There are a range of pre-built characters and backgrounds some of which are free, other characters/backgrounds have to be paid for (approx 90p per character) There is no customisation of characters.
Speech is possible using typed in text and generated speech. The PC based program also allows recording of speech. Lip-synching is quite good.
Crazy talk does not have a web interface. The program comes on CD and costs start about £30. Multi-licence deals are available.
The program animates faces. No other movement is possible. Speech can be input via text - the programme then generates speech. Alternatively voices can be recorded and used.
The program has a range of faces which can be used - animals, cartoons and photo-realistic. It will also import photographs and animate them.
Control over facial movements is extensive. There are pre-built expressions which can be applied, but it is also possible to tweak the facial expressions in a remarkably detailed way.
There are many You-Tube Videos which demonstrate the capabilities of the program and give training.
Possible Uses
There was some discussion about possible uses:
As a character who would integrate a series of web pages and introduce them.
A character who could present a topic in a different and more engaging way.
As a creative output for learner work.
Using the programs to set up situations/interactions between characters which could then be edited by learners to show how the situation may be developed or resolved.
Generally it was agreed that the time and effort involved in using the programs meant that it was necessary to balance this out against the expected benefits from using the characters.
We've had a suggestion that we look at content creation tools next time. If you have any other ideas about what we might cover, please forward them to Phil
We looked at voting and assessment devices - what's out there and how they can be used. Qwizdom, Turning Point and Smart kits were demonstrated, as well as online voting using Poll Everywhere.
We didin't get time to look at GoAnimate but we'll try and fit it in next time.
PollEverywhere is a system to allow voting by text message. All that is required is an internet connection and that each member of the audience brings their mobile phone.
Fraser Wight, Network Manager at Stephenson College introduced the perils of change management and the culture shift involved in moving to a document management system. Stephenson has been using their DMS for 2 years now, so what are the pros and cons? The term "paperless" is not strictly accurate as anyone can print out whatever they wish, but there are no filing cabinets or areas for filing paper.
This is a webcast tool providing for presentations and text chat interaction. There is also the option for audio chat and web cam.
Bandwidth issues have made this kind of activity highly vulnerable, but the technology is improving as time moves on and educational providers are finding this a very useful asset given the need for sustainability and online learning. Those who usually have to spend a great deal of time travelling, such as assessors and verifiers, will find this a helpful string to their bow.
There are other products out there, including open source, and we can provide some pointers to the current reliability and features of some of these. Bear in mind that the situation is very fluid: what is unreliable today may be the tool of choice tomorrow.
Take a look at the screenshots below. This will give you an idea of what the interface looks like.
If you want to find a case study on a particular topic then if you do a general site search for "case study rsc + ______" then hopefully you will find what you need.
Do you have something that you wish to share as a case study?
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