Magisto—Magical Video Editor

Magisto allows users to create movies using videos and images saved to their iPad. After registering with the app, users may film a movie or select up to 10 videos and images already saved to their camera roll to use in their movie. (Please note: Magisto recommends that there is at least 45 seconds’ worth of footage for each movie.) Next, users select the theme and soundtrack from the premade options already loaded into Magisto, and then they tap the “Make My Movie” button. Magisto then makes a draft of the movie that can be saved as a final draft or tweaked if needed. Once the movie is created, it is automatically saved to the Magisto cloud, and users can share it over social media, email, or by sharing the link. Lastly, users can write comments about their movie that will be seen when it is played, and Magisto allows users to save the movie to their public and/or private albums.

Instructional Ideas

1. As part of a project, teachers can require students to film a movie using this app and post a link to it on a class website. In the “Write a comment …” section, students can compose a paragraph that explains the connection and/or relevancy between the movie they created and how it supports their project.
2. As an introductory assignment at the beginning of the school year, teachers can have students create a “Day in the Life” movie that consists of videos and pictures that reflect the student who created the movie. Students can post a link to their movie on a class website, and fellow students can write comments as a response to the movie. Some ideas for responses include: (1) what the students have in common, (2) what students learned about their peer based on the movie, and (3) any common interests that may exist between the student who made the movie and the student who viewed it.
3. After reading a narrative or a historical account, teachers can have students recreate the action in the text by creating a movie using this app. After creating their movie, students can post a link to their movie and a paragraph explaining the connection between the text and the movie to a class website. Fellow students can then view the movie and read comments. In response, the fellow students can post critiques about the movie that include: (1) what they liked about the movie, (2) how the movie could be improved, and (3) if the connection between the text and the movie was strong.

Screenshots