Animoto is a video publishing tool that I’ve used with students over the last 3 years. It is easy to use and videos can be created very quickly. The easiest way to create is by using the web based program. There is also an app (both iPad and Android). I have used it with students as a presentation tool, and students love it. Students can create short videos using images/video, text, and build in music. Students can create their own accounts for free, but are limited to 30 second videos. If the teacher creates an Educational Account the length limit is eliminated. Teachers then give a classroom code to the students to have an Educational Account as well. Videos can be shared by a web-link, YouTube, Twitter, embedding into a web page, and other services. Below is an quick video I created to show what a finished video look like.
Head to www.animoto.com to get started!
A note to educators...Create an Education Account and you get more themes and longer videos, as well as the option to create student accounts.