Xtranormal

=[|Xtranormal]=

(1) Resources links and/or class examples:
>
 * [|These are some examples of how students have used this resource in the classroom]
 * [|This is a forum where educator post their ideas about how to use this resource in the classroom]
 * [|This is a humorous example of how xtranormal can make boring points entertaining]

(a) Strengths:

 * Free
 * Easy to use: Making movies process is simplified
 * Movies can be posted in youtube
 * Movies in 3D
 * Control over backgrounds, characters, camera angles, and so on.
 * Do not need special software, just a computer with internet access
 * Immediate feedback
 * Page in different languages
 * Movies can be shared in [|__Digg__] [|__Delicious__] [|__Reddit__] [|__Stumbleupon__] [|__Facebook__] and [|__Myspace__]
 * Students and teachers can subscribe to the blog
 * Can be an in class or out of school educational tool

(b) Weaknesses:

 * Need to sign up to publish a movie
 * Free access allows limited content
 * Email authorization (this can not be done at all schools because most schools block private email accounts)
 * Can mispronounce text/dialogue

(c) Opportunities

 * Great opportunity for long-distance classes
 * Can be use with international students
 * Great way to create homework activities
 * Good way to introduce students to a particular topic
 * Innovative way to do class presentations
 * Students can share videos with classmates
 * Students can share videos with students in distant schools
 * Teachers can share class activities in a movie format with other teachers
 * Good way to present real situations (such as jobs and school interviews) in the classroom
 * Great to get shy students to practice their conversation homework
 * Students can create movies or reports, or news about any subject
 * Creative and interactive for all grade levels

(d) Threats

 * Kids can write any script they want and could use bad words
 * Kids can be distracted with other videos not related with the classroom activities
 * Some available characters can be innapropriate for some grade levels

(3) Ideas for the classroom

 * Teachers can use the resource when teaching inquiry based activities: The introduction could be a short video with questions and answers to engage kids to that topic.
 * [|You can find some ideas in this website]
 * Students can make documentaries about history episodes
 * Students can make a news show showing the latest events in the world
 * Counselors can have students use for other way of expression during sessions.
 * Students can re-create scenes from plays in new original ways (modern Romeo & Juliet)