MSQRD app

This app is amazing.  I could explain what it does but to be honest you need to see it and experience it to really appreciate it. 

Watch the video to see exactly what you can do and then download it and have a play around for yourself!  It could be used for hot seating and impersonating/empathising with characters, personifying animals or just to have fun!  You could even use it in terms of a 'you never know who you're talking to online' e-safety session.  There is so much potential. 

There is even a Minecraft block-head style effect!

Check it out! 

Thanks, 

Tom 

@teach_fresh

T-Rex at school without a green screen!

I have previously blogged about inspiring writing by having dinosaurs at school here using the very simple and straightforward app Jurassic Paint.  Part of the reason I liked the app was that you don't need a green screen to have children and dinosaurs in the shot at the same time.  However, Jurassic Paint only allows you to place images of dinosaurs on photos.  Which is why I am writing about Efexio.

With Efexio you can add a moving T-Rex to a photo OR a video.  This means your children can film themselves running around the playground or the field and then add in the dinosaur to create a really professional looking scene, without using a green screen or any additional apps. This makes the process much more straight forward and a lot quicker, which gives you more time to concentrate on writing.  

The app has lots of extra content which you can purchase as the free options are fairly limited.  For me, the T-Rex is easily the best free effect you can use (there are also skeletons, fire and smoke)  The T-Rex alone makes the app worth downloading.  

What makes this app work so well is the editor, which allows you to change the position and orientation of the T-Rex as well as its shadow.  These options are easy to play with and really add to the authenticity of the scene, as you can finetune it so that it appears much more realistic. 

You can also preview your video as you edit it which means the children can instantly see what the finished product will look like. 

You can just add a photo as a backdrop but for me, a video is far more interactive in that your children can pretend they are running away from the dinosaur, which is much more fun!  

Please let me know if you decide to use this app to inspire writing with your class; it would be great to see any videos you make too! 

Thanks, 

Tom

@teach_fresh

Using Action Movie FX in the classroom

Action Movie FX has been around for a while now but the latest Star Wars update is what made me think about using it again. The app is rated 9+ by the AppStore so you're looking at UKS2.  

The app allows you to record and add special effects to your videos extremely easily.  

There are quite a few options available for free (some you will need to download) but there are also more you can purchase.  For me, there is enough free content, initially at least, without having to buy more.  

Simply choose the effect, film your scene (usually for a minimum of 5-10 seconds) and the app does the rest.  You can also refine your clip by moving and resizing the effect before your scene is saved. 

As well as the usual explosions and car crashes there are Star Wars packages available (see above) Star Trek and Call of Duty effects too - many of which are free.  

Children can record videos and instantly add their desired special FX very easily and very quickly before using them to inspire their writing!  

Once individual clips have been made you could use iMovie to put them together and tell your story.  You can also save your scenes as gifs.  

The app isn't perfect and it could be improved by having the option to use prerecorded videos but as a quick-fix alternative to green screen filmmaking I think this does the job really well.  I also think children (and adults!) will find the whole process fun and engaging which should lead to some great written work.

I will be trying it out with my Year 5 class so we'll see what they come up with! 

Thanks

Tom 

@teach_fresh