Thursday, March 7, 2013

Xtranormal (A Text-to-Video Tool)

UPDATE: As of 2013, Xtranormal is no longer available. If you created an Xtranormal video and uploaded it to YouTube, then you can continue to use that video. However, sadly, we cannot make any more Xtranormal videos. Check out Voki as a possible substitute (see my May 2014 post).



According to the website, "Xtranormal instantly turns your words into a 3D animated movie." This is a text-to-video tool. You can create a little animated movie just by choosing a setting and character(s) (maximum 2). Then you type the monologue or dialogue that you want your character(s) to speak. You can add some other touches, but these are the basics. Once you publish it, your dialogue is animated into a little movie. The voices are little robotic, but nobody seems to mind.

One tricky aspect of using Xtranormal is the currency they have you use to "buy" characters and settings and also to publish your videos. The currency is called XP, and you automatically receive some when you create your free basic account. However, if you intend to make many movies, you will quickly go through your free XPs. If you want more, you will have to buy them.

Xtranormal is another example of a tool that clearly was not created for educational purposes, but it's easy to imagine the ways you could use it to stimulate creative language practice with your students:
  • Create a video introducing yourself to your students or informing them about some aspect of class. (Have fun choosing the actor who will play you.)
  • Have students write a dialogue in English and then animate it in Xtranormal. A possible extension to this idea is to have the students also perform the dialogue in class.
What other creative ideas can you see for using Xtranormal with your English language learners?