Toontastic

The creativity app, Toontastic, just recently joined Google.  As of now, the app and many settings, characters, and music tracks are FREE.  This app would be a great addition to any curricular area.  The useful tools can be modified to meet many different objectives.  While the Story Arc is taught and includes the setup, the conflict, the challenge, the climax, and the resolution, users can delete scenes or add scenes to meet their specific needs.

View this 30 second video to get an idea of the app:

In order to begin, launch Toontastic and tap CREATE CARTOON:

Tap NEW CARTOON:

Tap the preferred scene and click the :

Swipe left or right to select a SETTING:

Tap the right arrow in the top, right corner to move to the next step.  Swipe left or right to select toys from the suggested category or swipe left or right to move to another category of toys. Tap the toy to insert them into the movie.  Multiple toys may be added.

NOTE: Toys may be deleted. Tap the preferred toy, then tap the red trash can icon.

Manipulate the toy(s) to the starting position and click START to begin the recording.  After the countdown and the word, ACTION, appears, begin recording the audio and manipulate the toys by tapping and dragging on the screen and/or pinching in or out to control the zoom.  Tap STOP to stop the recording.

After the animation preview plays, tap the right arrow in the top, right corner to move to the next step.  Tap the preferred musical category and use the up and down sliders to increase or decrease the intensity.

Tap the right arrow in the top, right corner to move to the next step.  Tap the to edit another scene or tap theto delete unnecessary scenes.

To preview the video, tap the DONE icon in the top, right corner of the screen:

Enter a title in the MOVIE TITLE field and a director name in the DIRECTED BY field.  Tap the checkmark to preview the movie:

When all scenes are complete, return to the previously-mentioned screen that displays the clapboard and tap EXPORT TO CAMERA ROLL to move the video out of the app for sharing.  The video can then be transferred from the camera roll to a computer or other online video hosting site (such as YouTube, Vimeo, etc.).

• View the Toontastic Support page for further information
• Visit LaunchpadEDU for ideas on using Toontastic in education

Book Creator

Available in the App Store
Available on Google Play

Teachers have begun to use the Book Creator app to publish student work in an epub format.  This format allows readers to open an ebook in the ibooks app on an ipad or in the Readium Chrome desktop app.  This user-friendly app allows students to insert saved images and video, text, draw visuals, and record audio.  The full version ipad app is currently $4.99, but users can download the free version to try it.  The free version is limited to one published book.

Watch this 1.5 minute video to see how easy it can be:

Faith Christian School teachers can find this app loaded on the Elementary and Junior High ipad carts.  View an example of Bailey's e-book (select Open in iBooks on an iPad) or view the PDF version.

Find more information on the Book Creator app here.

ChatterPix Kids

Available in the App Store

ChatterPix Kids is a fun iPhone/iPad app with many possibilities for many curricular areas.  The app's trademark is "give your photos a voice."  Simply import a photo, draw a line across the mouth of the subject, add photo filters and stickers, then record the script.  Here is a short video by a Kindergartener:

View below how photos of inanimate objects have also been given a little character!

Layering Apps for Digital Storytelling

While at EdCamp Dallas a few weeks ago, I found out about a new app, called Background Eraser  and for $.99, it is pretty handy! The app very quickly transforms an image with a background into an image with a transparent background:

To layer the apps, first use a drawing app, such as Doodle Buddy, to create the image.

Available in App Store

Depending on the app, look for the sharing options found with the SHARE button. If SAVE TO CAMERA ROLL is not an option, press the HOME and SLEEP/WAKE button simultaneously to take a screenshot.  The saved image will save to the camera roll.

Next, launch the Background Eraser app and tap LOAD to insert the image.

Available in App Store

Allow the app to use the photos (if applicable) and navigate to the preferred photo.  Use the blue arrows to crop the image and tap DONE in the top, right corner.  Next, tap ERASER at the top to use the eraser tool and options.  When the image is complete, tap DONE at the top and SAVE to save to the camera roll.

Finally, launch a screencasting or whiteboard app, such as Educreations:

Available in App Store

Insert the image created earlier with the transparent background.  Utilize the app's recording features and animate using the newly-created image by swiping and pinching with your fingers while recording audio.

More information on Educreations

30 Hands

30 Hands

This ipad and iphone digital storytelling app will allow users to insert pictures from the camera roll and/or Dropbox, take photos with the camera app, or draw the pictures.  Simply tap and hold on one of the images to quickly reorder them.  In addition, audio can be recorded over each photo to create a story or presentation.  30 Hands can be used in a variety of curricular areas to explain a concept, place events in order, and more.  Students and teachers will love the ease of skipping the login step and sharing the finished product straight to the camera roll.

30 Hands ipad app - Free as of today - Download soon in case this changes

Other Tips:

• 30 Hands will allow users to re-record audio on slides

• As of now, there is no limit to the number of slides