What is Windows Movie Maker?

Windows Movie Maker is a film making software, exclusive to Windows users. The application is easy to use and includes a variety of tools required to create movies, presentations, animations and various other videos. The software also doesn’t require internet and none of the students content is uploaded or seen by anyone on the web, meaning it is safe for classroom use. Movie Maker is basic so its results as a teaching resource depend on how it is applied to the classroom, however, there are so many easy and engaging applications that it is hard for the software not to be successful in learning.

How Can It Be Used in the Classroom?

Windows Movie Maker has endless teaching opportunities. Students can make movies that fit in with their oral presentations as opposed to making a basic PowerPoint Presentation. They are able to make short videos or advertisements for subjects such as health in place of posters. They can bring their stories from English to life, or present their knowledge of history through stop motion animation or movies. Students can even record songs with an accompanying lyric video for music or when creating math memory rhymes. The software is a great resource that incorporates the Technologies curriculum into all other areas of learning during the primary years.

How to Use

Before this software can be used in the classroom the basics need to be explicitly taught to students. It is very easy to use so this should not take more then 2 or 3 lessons and the students will be able to figure out more advanced tools and tricks as they use it more often.

Link to Resource: Here

Subject: Technologies

Year Level: 3-6

Strand: Digital Technologies

Sub Strands:  

• Process and Production Skills
• Knowledge and Understanding

Content Descriptors Examples:

• Recognise different types of data and explore how the same data can be represented in different ways (ACTDIK008)
• Collect, access and present different types of data using simple software to create information and solve problems (ACTDIP009)
• Plan, create and communicate ideas and information, including collaboratively online, applying agreed ethical, social and technical protocols (ACTDIP022)

Cross Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities:

• Critical and Creative Thinking
• Information and Communication Technology
• Literacy
• Personal and Social Capability

Links To Other Learning Areas:

• The Arts (Media Art)
• This resource can be linked to almost any learning area depending on how it is used

Platform: Windows 7/8/10/Xp/Vista

Cost: Free