Resource Review : 

Magically Make Movies  

We are back from February break in just a few days and I am excited to start a new project with 5th and 6th grade. We just finished up making book trailers and for our next project we will be starting this years research project together and I am so excited! Now if I could only make them feel the same way about it. 

This year we will be researching board games, yes-board games.  I selected this topic because the students frequently have indoor recess during the winter months which happens to be hosted in the library. We have an indoor recess cart that is barley touched by our older students despite the fact that most of the games on it are geared towards upper elementary students.  Students instead spend the time on there laptops with limited interaction with each other.  This is where my idea for this years research project was hatched. What if the students had to investigate the board game manufacturers, the origins of the games we have in our collection, and have to present there research along with teaching other how to play the game they are assigned. Will this spark interest in our game collection? Will students start taking them out and using them? Only time will tell. 

However the first step in the project is to introduce the project in a way that the students are as excited about this research project as I am. That’s where I am hoping My Simple Show will help  out.

Why –

Simple Show is a tool designed to help engage and share knowledge. It sells itself as an easy way to explain anything quickly and easily. The premise is that there AI platform can do the hard work for you.  “With just the click of a button artificial intelligence magically turns your test into an animated audiovisual experience”. Founded in 2008 on the idea of explaining complex topics in a simple way.

My Simple Show is a site geared towards the educator to help them make content more engaging. With simple shows storytelling approach it is designed to grab students attention. 

Pros:  As a teacher this resource is FREE for the educator and up to 50 students can be added to your account. This includes access to all functions. 

Using Simple Show is a great way to extend any learning activity, and creates engaging content with AI assistance. Simple Show will enhance retention of the topic by creating a  learning environment children enjoy in an entertaining way, by using video format rather then a lecture or powerpoint. 

Cons: To date I have attempted three different video’s in three different ways. Despite tutorials showing how easy it is to customize the videos I had a bit of trouble locating the features described. I also had to ask a question on how to upgrade as an educator as the site says educators have access to everything the site offers, yet I am restricted to basic features that won’t be appealing to students. Unfortunately the assistance tool says someone would get back to me tomorrow, which isn’t very helpful in the moment. You would think an AI cite would have prompts to work you through your questions vs. having to wait until the next day for a response. 

You can visit this movie maker by clicking the link provided below. 

Site URL:  My Simple Show (transforms any text into an animated explainer video)

Or you can click on this link to see my first attempt at creating an AI video.

https://videos.simpleshow.com/rbuC6loxNN

I am looking forward to using this tool once I have full access and can use features that truly engage my students. @simpleshow #schoolresource #AI