Update (2019): GoAnimate has changed its name to Vyond.

A good video is like a shot of B-12 to any message you’re trying to get out there. Whether you’re teaching, training, advertising, or expressing yourself as an artist, a well-made video can accomplish so much in so little time.

Until recently, the tools to create professional-looking videos were out of the hands of most regular folks. But those days are over. YouTube and movie-editing software have now made it possible for us to take what’s in our video cameras, edit them with beautiful production values, and share them with the world.

And now the same is coming true with animation. In July, I told you about a fantastic, free animation platform called Powtoon. And now, here’s GoAnimate, another animation website that provides you with awesome tools to create videos that go even further.

To show you how GoAnimate works, I offer you this demonstration, where I put together a short, silly animated video entirely lacking in educational value. Enjoy.

How might you use it?

If you, your students, or your business are not already using some kind of video creation program, you might need a little help imagining all the ways it can benefit you, your students, or your company.

In School: Teachers can create their own GoAnimate videos to flip classes, to provide remediation for struggling students or enrichment for gifted students, or to get students excited about a new unit. Administrators could use videos to promote school programs, reinforce policies, or inform parents and community members about new initiatives. And most importantly, STUDENTS can create GoAnimate videos to demonstrate or extend learning. Instead of a written book report, a PowerPoint on the Civil War, or a science research paper, students can create an animated video. Student organizations can use the videos to promote and advertise their activities or accomplishments. Video projects can be used as independent work to differentiate for student ability or interests. High school juniors and seniors can use GoAnimate videos as part of college applications. English language learners can compose dialogues or experiment with different accents. The possibilities really are endless.

In Business: Obviously, GoAnimate videos can be used for advertising; they would work especially well on social media. You can import your own logos or images to customize the look and feel of the videos and really make them your own. Videos could also be used as part of your corporate training, presentations, or even as a part of team-building challenges or brainstorming sessions. Because the platform is truly something new, it will spark creativity in ways that could result in some pretty big breakthroughs.

What does it cost?

Update, April 2018: Since the original publication of this post, GoAnimate has decided to end its Schools program, which offered substantial discounts for schools. Although other plans can be a bit expensive, you can sign up for a free trial that will help you decide whether it’s worth the cost. ♦