This resource can be found online at http://www.zimmertwins.com. This is not downloadable; however, you do need Adobe Flash Player installed on your computer in order to use the Zimmer Twin tool. When media productions are created on the website, they are saved to the website. They can be accessed when you login. The website’s privacy policy states that they collect and keep all personal information private. When signing up, children up to the age of 17 must register under their parent’s name and email to ensure maximum safety. The website is monitored daily by employees of Zimmer Twins to ensure everything on the website is appropriate. I cannot think of any privacy or terms of use issues at this time.
You can access this website by connecting to the internet, going to your web browser and typing in www.zimmertwins.com. To follow acceptable use agreements and information guidelines, you need a username (cannot be your real name), a parent email and password (sent to parent email automatically after signing up). Once this is set up, a window pops up for parents to read about privacy and user agreements. All movies made on Zimmer Twins are the property of the company and can be used and reproduced without your permission.
Analyze
The website states that children 8 years and up are permitted to use Zimmer Twins. Some questions I have are: Is this tool appropriate for teacher use? Can this be used in a classroom to further media literacy education? How could I use this as a tool to help my students succeed and think critically?
After exploring the website, I have decided that I will use this tool to enhance my lessons. For example, I can re-create a story or even create my own story in any subject (i.e. social studies - use people in history to create a cartoon movie for my students to watch. This could be a minds on to a lesson to hook the students and become interested). I believe this tool would definitely add value to my digital presence and each student who uses the tool as well. Being able to create your own movie shows creativity and higher order thinking.
Create
Zimmer Twins allows students to create their own movie by using cartoon characters of their choice. They can make the characters talk by using speech bubbles. This tool is extremely easy to use. Children as young as 8 years old are permitted to use the website with parent permission. The only thing that would challenge me is gaining ratings on my movies. Members of the website are able to rate other movies on a 1-5 likert scale. I’m not quite sure how to navigate the rating system yet (i.e. can you share the movie more to gain more ratings?)
Once you save your movie, your finished work is automatically published for all members of Zimmer Twins to see. After this, members are able to rate your movie from 1-5 (5 being the best).
Reflect
As stated earlier, I could use this tool to enhance my lessons. For example, I can re-create a story or even create my own story in any subject (i.e. social studies - use people in history to create a cartoon movie for my students to watch. This could be a minds on to a lesson to hook the students and become interested). Professionally, perhaps I could create a cartoon movie about how my classroom might look and present it to potentially employers.
If I were to use this tool professionally, I could put my movies onto my blog, twitter, facebook etc. to enhance my digital repertoire. I could also display student movies on my classroom blog to help communicate with parents and keep them updated on what we are doing in the classroom.
Take Action
I believe this tool could be used for both professional and personal use; however, I am leaning more towards personal use. The main purpose for this tool is so children can showcase their creative abilities in media literacy and create their own stories to tell. Audiences would most likely be teachers and parents. Privacy, copyright and fair use issues are addressed when the parent signs up. You have to read and accept the terms before your account is created.
I will use it within my own classroom or perhaps in my next practicum. I have already signed up and made an account so I can practice using the tool. The idea behind this is so that I am educated enough about the tool so I can help my students when they are using it.
So what do you think? Is this a tool that you could see yourself using in the classroom?
Talk soon, S.