Digital Tools for Teaching and Learning

PowToon is a web-based video and presentation creation tool. Use animated characters and objects, stock images and videos, and your own uploaded media to create engaging content. PowToon is compatible with all browsers, but works best in Chrome. 

With a free account, users have access to:

• Up to 3 minutes of HD video
• 100MB of storage
• Select royalty-free music

PowToon is best for

• Short, professional videos
• Creating teacher or student introduction videos
• Creating videos for introducing a new topic or subject
• Summarizing a lesson

Limitations

• Small upload capacity 
• Does not have an audio recorder or editor
• Free accounts
  • Limited storage
  • Cannot export as MP4
  • Large PowToon branding
  • Cannot use all the animations (reserved for upgraded accounts)

Accessibility

PowToon interface for video creation is not Accessible to people using screen readers. 

For those using PowToon to create videos, check out our help guide on how to Make you Digital Media Projects Accessible. 

Support 

The Media Studio at the library has an educational account. The educational account provides

• 2 GB of storage per account
• EDU branding (much smaller)
• Download as an MP4 or export to Social Media channels. 
• Pro-level access to music and animations 

There are a limited number of seats available per semester. Please contact the library for more information. 

Need help? Book an appointment with Media Studio staff. 

Resources

WeVideo is a web based video editor creation tool. Upload and edit your own video footage, add music and audio, and use images, video and sound from their library in your own creation. Although the tools are made simple for beginners, WeVideo offers a wide range of features that enables anyone to make very professional-looking videos. 

With a free account, users have access to:

• 5 minutes of publishing time a month
• 1GB of cloud storage
• 480p max video resolution

WeVideo is best for

• Short, medium-lengthed, or longer videos.
• Video-creation projects 
• Promotional videos, marketing, and proposals 

Limitations

• Processing and rendering are slightly slow 
• The support team response rate is slow and reportedly unhelpful
• Limited publishing space depending on your plan

Accessibility

The WeVideo interface for video creation is not Accessible to people using screen readers.

For those using WeVideo to create videos, check out our help guide on how to Make your Digital Media Projects Accessible.

Support 

The Media Studio at the library has an Educational license. The educational account provides

• 5GB of space per seat
• Standard HD resolution
• Unlimited use of videos, images, and music
• Collaborative projects

There are a limited number of seats available per semester. Please contact the library for more information. 

Need help? Book an appointment with Media Studio staff. 

Resources

iMovie is a video clip editing tool for iOS and macOS. Users can use their own video clips or choose photos and videos from the iMovie library, then add titles, effects, and music of their own creation, iTunes, or from the available iMovie audio library.

iMovie is free for all MacOS users.

iMovie is best for

• Short, medium-lengthed, or longer videos.
• Introduction, explainer, and reflection videos.
• Creative videos.
• Student independent projects.
• Large projects.

Limitations

• Designed for and popular among beginners:
  •  not recommended for advanced video creators due to its very simple controls and limited video layering.
• Takes up a lot of memory space.

Accessibility

iMovie accessibility features allow you to edit by:

• Trimming and changing volume levels
• Adding transitions
• Stabilization, color correction, and volume features

For accessibility questions and support, visit this Guide to Accessible iMovie Production.

Support 

iMovie is available on the iMacs in the Media Studio. To access iMovie, schedule an appointment in the Editing Suites. 

Need help? Book an appointment with Media Studio staff. 

Resources

Quik is a video editor that lets you create polished videos, with titles, transitions, music, and more. Although GoPro acquired the app in 2016, Quik works with any type of video, whether it was shot with a Hero camera or a smartphone. Compatible with iOS and android devices.

Quik is free for anyone to use.

Quik is best for

• Promotional videos, marketing and proposals
• Individual or course introduction videos
• Creative and independent projects
• Reflections

Limitations

• Cannot export in 4K quality.
• Structured:
  • Does a lot of the editing for you when you choose a theme for your video
  • Does not allow for your own small customizations within a theme