GoAnimate rocked in Middle School French, Spanish and Chinese classes this year.  We started with GoAnimate4schools.com free account:  1 teacher + 40 students, but soon upgraded to the Super Teacher account: 2 teachers + 48 students for $99.00/year. Seeing the enthusiastic  student response, two more teachers jumped on board, making GoAnimate one of Middle School’s favorite technology tools.

Tips for implementing GoAnimate

Projects that use any cloud-based platform can hit a snag or two.  Most snags can be avoided by checking out the list below prior to launching your GoAnimate activity.  I’ve found trouble-shooting “out-loud” together encourages students to find and share their solutions.

Laptop & teacher workstation requirements

• up-to-date browsers (Firefox, Chrome; avoid Internet Explorer)
• up-to-date Flash plugin
• microphone settings
• set to allow pop-ups from the GoAnimate website
• set to allow Adobe access to laptop microphone and voice recorder
• ask the IT department to whitelist the domain GoAnimate4schools.com for both web and email traffic

Project Planning and Time Management

• allow class time for students to check technical requirements and assign a due date for meeting technical requirements for those using personal computers
• provide rubric with clear expectations
• break down the project into a checklist of short term deadlines (final script, storyboard, scene/timeline check)
• allow class time for introductory experimentation with creation tools
• allow class time for work in progress
• pair or group group students in class to share animation expertise

Download GoAnimate’s Getting Started Guide here.

French teacher, Sarai Gutierrez-Rodriguez share’s her GoAnimate story and resources here.

See sample student projects below:

Note:  Spanish students were required to expand on the story and characters from a unit in their textbook. The text was about two American students going to Spain to live with Spanish families.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPxm6oTUCK4

GoAnimate educators share lesson ideas and rubrics.  See an American Government lesson plan and rubric here.

GoAnimate was fun to use as an intro to my workshop.  Have fun!