Xtranomal+Page

= **What is Xtranormal?** =

Xtranormal is a web 2.0 tool that can be used to make movies. The website hosts text to speech capabilities that allow uses to type anything they desire while computer animated videoclips are shown. The site features animated three-dimensional characters that speak in computer voices. Users are able to make their characters speak and also have the choice between many character actions and camera angles. Different scenes are also depicted throughout the site.

=** How to sign up ** =
 * 1) Go to http://www.xtranormal.com/.
 * 2) After that, lick on "create account" in the top right hand corner.
 * 3) You may sign up with an existing account, such as facebook, twitter, google, yahoo, etc. at the bottom of the page. If you prefer to sign up the old fashioned way, you may create account on the left hand side by creating a username and providing an email address and new password.

=** How to make movies ** = Once you have signed up for your account, it's time to start making movies. For your students, it may be beneficial to set up the "education" section of Xtranormal. Once you sign in, click the "education" button at the top right hand of the main screen. This allows you to download educational-friendly site for students to use.
 * 1) Click on "Make Movies" at the top left hand side of the site.
 * 2) Choose which collection you want to use to start making movies.
 * 3) Once you have chosen the set you would like to use, decide on whether you will like to have 1 or 2 actors. Click the appropriate box below the collection to determine how many actors you will use.
 * 4) Once you have signed in, you need to begin by choosing the set. Some sets are free, but some may cost Xtranormal Poins, "XP", for certain sets. Click on the set that you would like to use.
 * 5) After you have designed your set, click on the "actors" tab. Choose the actors you would like to use in your movie.
 * 6) Click on the "sounds" tab. You may want to use the sounds provided as background sound. This function allows you to listen to the sounds before applying them to your movie.
 * 7) Finally click on the "story" tab. Here is where you are able to type what you want each of your characters to say. You have the ability to type for each character, thus being able to create a dialogue between characters. You are also able to control the camera angles, your characters actions, motions for your characters, points from character to character, faces for your characters to make, "look-ats" for your characters to do, and pauses. All of these features will help make your movie "life-like" and fun.
 * 8) Underneath your movie, you will see buttons that allow you to listen, preview, save, and finally publish your final product

=<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">** What are "XP" points? ** = <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Each new user receives 300XP when you sign up for a new account. Therefore, you are essentially able to make a movie for free. If you run out of points and would like to continue using Xtranormal, XP points are available for purchase through the site. These points are used to purchase actors, sets, and other options that make your movie fun and creative. Once you have purchased an asset (sets, actors) then you no longer have to pay to use that asset. There is a "points bar" above your movie editing page that allows you to see the points you have, how much each asset will cost, and that will also allow you to purchase XP. Publishing costs 100 XP per movie if done on the Movie Maker website. The different animations you can make your character do and the different camera angles are always free. The following are Xtranormal Point bundles available for purchase:
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;">1,200xp -$10
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;">5,000xp - $25
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;">15,000xp - $50
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;">40,000xp - $100
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;">80,000xp - $150

<span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;">Xtranormal offers educators receive discounts on the website. Xtranormal currently sponsers educators with Xtranormal Points grants on the "Movie Maker" platform. This is primarily for your account and cannot be turned on for entire classes or schools. Therefore, if you plan to use Xtranormal for students purposes and have your students make movies, you will need to set up student email accounts, then create student accounts, and purchase additional XP for students to use. Xtranormal right now is primarily being used by educators for demonstrative and educational movies. It is not recommended that students sign on to one account (i.e. the teacher's account) all at once. = = <span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;">

=<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 140%;">﻿How can Xtranormal be used in the Classroom? = = = <span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;">Xtranormal can be used by students of all ages and all content areas. Teachers can be very creative about how this tool can be used in the classroom. Xtranormal is a great way for teachers to introduce new topics or to assess what students have learned after a unit.

<span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;"> Elementary

<span style="color: #050505; font-family: georgia,serif; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">3rd grade student created a biographical video about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

<span style="color: #050505; font-family: georgia,serif; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"> <span style="color: #050505; font-family: georgia,serif; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">media type="youtube" key="XEeAXGHl2a8" height="183" width="223"

<span style="color: #ff8300; font-family: georgia,serif; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">Middle

<span style="color: #050505; font-family: georgia,serif; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">A middle school student created a video about main verbs and helping verbs.

<span style="color: #050505; font-family: georgia,serif; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">media type="youtube" key="0stp6ewhQBM" height="198" width="224"

<span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;"> Secondary <span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;">A geometry student created a video about proofs. <span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;">media type="youtube" key="6fEW66cZJZE" height="184" width="226"

<span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;"> Teacher Use

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: georgia,serif;">Xtranormal is a great tool for teachers as well. In the video below a Spanish teacher created a video as an introduction for her class.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: georgia,serif;">media type="youtube" key="VUswi1P0mns" height="190" width="223"


 * Note: It is very important that teachers monitor students while they are using Xtranormal. Characters and videos that are inappropriate may be found if students are allowed to explore other users' creations.

=<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 140%;">Benefits of using Xtranormal in the classroom =
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: georgia,serif; text-align: left;"> It's fun and students like it
 * Its great for ESL or ELL students
 * Students get to use their creativity
 * It's easy to navigate
 * It's FREE!

In the video below students reflect upon a class project for which they used Xtranormal.

media type="youtube" key="l3ZtzRCAs-Y" height="176" width="230" = = = = = What are teachers saying about Xtranormal? =

=== //"Implementing technology is a huge push in the public schools today, and rightfully so. The students we teach today are preparing to step into a virtual world. Utilizing Xtranormal in your classroom will probably impress your administrators, parents and most importantly, your students."// ===