ZimmerTwins

= [|Zimmer Twins] = Use Your Imagination!!

Zimmer Twins is a website for kids where they have the freedom to be creative, practice skills, and make their own movies.

Resources Zimmer Twins in the Classroom __[|http://ilearntechnology.com/?p=2180]__

Sample Lesson Plan using Zimmer Twins __[]__

//The Zimmer Twins: Taking Storytelling to a Whole New Level// __[|http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2010/11/the-zimmer-twins-taking-story-telling-to-a-whole-new-level.html]__

SWOT Analysis:

Strengths
 * free access!
 * the site is monitored daily to ensure that content is appropriate and safe for all ages
 * password protected
 * fun, safe, engaging way for kids to develop their creativity and collaborative skills
 * winner of the Parents Choice Silver Honor Award
 * offers information and resources for teachers and parents
 * interaction between users through the Zimmer Blog and through the sharing of content
 * supports student improvement and enthusiasm for writing, vocabulary practice, and production
 * option of using the site without accounts, setting up a single account for all students in your class, or setting up accounts for each student
 * provided tutorials including the “Zimmer Twins Tour” and “How to Make a Movie”
 * beneficial supplement to interactive learning
 * up-to-date

Weaknesses
 * to get full benefits from the site which includes kids ability to share their movies, access extra animation clips, leave written comments/reviews etc., you must purchase a “membership”
 * not all educational content
 * may not be age appropriate for the primary grades
 * unequal access to resources and the internet
 * can be time-consuming

Opportunities
 * engage kids in Web2.0 resource in which they are “content creative rather than just content consumers”
 * ability for children to review others’ videos and make comments
 * fun way to incorporate technology into the classroom
 * participation in the Zimmer Blog
 * used to expand student vocabulary, collaborative, technological, production, and writing skills
 * can be used at home and at school
 * offers suggested lesson plans for teachers
 * can be used to support ELL’s

Threats
 * difficult for educators to manage student movie-making
 * anyone can create an account and have access to creating and circulating content

Ideas for the classroom
 * engage students in group projects and presentations
 * students create their own movies and/or presentations about various topics
 * Create lesson plans for the following topics that utilize the site:
 * writing process
 * grammar
 * ESL
 * media literacy
 * social studies
 * creative writing
 * media production
 * collaborative activities
 * use the site as a “story starter” for journal entries and students must use their imagination to create the ending to the story
 * supplement book reports
 * have students create movies about historical events, describing a science experiment or concept, in math as a story problem, to demonstrate understanding of character education or for vocabulary practice