Brainpop

** Brainpop is an interactive web site that uses [|flash] animation to provide information on a variety of k-12 content topics including [|health], [|mathematics], [|English], [|science], [|social studies], [|technology], and [|music/arts]. Brainpop also focuses on current topics such as the United States [|presidential election] and [|Hispanic Heritage].
 *  Description

Brainpop allows teachers, students, and parents the ability a unique resource to introduce a new topic or providing an enrichment activity to reinforce difficult concepts. It also allows educators the ability to align its activities and instruction to their [|state standards]. It also provides [|tips and tools] on how to integrate its curriculum and content into classes. Brainpop is unique from other educational technology resources in that it doesn’t require downloading, instillations or special software. It’s fully compatible on all types of computers (PC’s/Macs), projectors, and interactive whiteboards.

Brainpop animation contains numerous characters but the two main characters are Tim and Moby.

[|Tim] (full name Timothy) is a smart and useful teenager who does most of the talking in the movies. He has brown hair and usually wears a white T-shirt with a picture on it which relates to each movie.

[|Moby] is an orange robot who communicates in bleeping noises. He has three lights on his chest that light up every time he beeps and Tim usually translates what he's saying. Moby is Tim's friend but loves to drive him insane. In the Eclipse movie, he forgot that Tim was and is his friend. While Tim does most of the talking during a movie, Moby usually helps out by fetching things for Tim and asking questions about the topic they are talking about. As a robot, he can do lots of things that Tim is unable to do (e. g. changing his hand into a freeze-ray, sending himself back in time, removing his head).

The other characters are [|Cassie], [|Rita], [|Bob](the ex-lab rat), and [|Gary and gary].

Cassie and Rita Bob (the ex-lab right)   

**Implications for Education** Technology is changing the way education is being provided in the United States. According to Education Next, a group of researchers from Stanford Uni versity's Hoover Institution, by 2019, 50% of all high school classes will be taken [|online]. This provides an illustration of how the educational model has and will continue to change over time. Brainpop is one of a few new companies that offers the educational community and innovative, lest costly, and engaging way to educate students.

Emerging companies, like Brainpop, have numerous benefits for different populations of the educational community. Students who have are homeschooled or have health problems/disabilities are offered curriculum and enrichment programs that can be taken at home or in a non-traditional setting.

**Implications for Education** Technology is changing the way education is being provided in the United States. According to Education Next (researchers from Stanford University's Hoover Institution) by 2019, 50% of all high school classes will be taken [|online]. This provides an illustration of how the educational model has and will continue to change over time. Brainpop is one of a few new companies that offers the educational community and innovative, lest costly, and engaging way to educate students.

Emerging companies, like Brainpop, have numerous benefits for different populations of the educational community. Students who have are homeschooled or have health problems/disabilities are offered curriculum and enrichment programs that can be taken at home or in a non-traditional setting.

//** Cons **//: Brainpop can be costly for individuals and schools. The subscription fee and access differs on subscription. For example:
 * Practical Applications **
 * // Pros //**: Brainpop targets “today’s” students an alternative resource to learning. It provides new technology that is able to engage and deliver content material to students in a new and dynamic way.

[|School Access]** (Annual fee $ 995) ** Annual subscription for use by teachers and students throughout a single school site. Unlimited use onsite during school hours (7:00 AM – 5:30 PM your local time). Educator-only access after school hours to make research and lesson planning easy. Option to add 24-hour remote access from home to strengthen the home/school connection.

[|Classroom Access] ** (Annual Fee $195) ** For use by a teacher and students in a single classroom on up to 3 computers. Works on projectors, televisions, interactive whiteboards and/or classroom computers during school hours (7:00 AM – 5:30 PM your local time). Ability for teacher to login outside of school hours to make research and lesson planning easy.

[|Family Access]** (annual fee $99) ** For 24-hour use on one home computer. Make annual or monthly payments. (For individuals at home only – not valid for schools or other organizations).

In addition to the subscription cost, the user must have and maintain a computer or computers. With rising costs in education some may see companies like Brainpop as an option instead of a necessity.

**Brainpop Videos** Carnivorous Plant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG2GEUT66tM

Russell Simmons (voting) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fkXF60aJgU



Espanola: Distrofia Muscular De Duchenne http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxfJ4hYX9-E

**References** http://ip-pbx.tmcnet.com/news/2008/09/01/3627266.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainpop <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> http://www.brainpop.com/ <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2006_Dec_5/ai_n27075653 http://www.education-world.com/awards/2006/r0806-30.shtml http://hilltownfamilies.wordpress.com/2007/03/18/brainpop/ http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078617022/student_view0/brainpop_movies.html# http://www.edtechreview.net/2007/04/brain-pop-jr-is-great-addition-to-brain.html http://www.supersmartgames.com/Editor's_Blog/Blog/Featured_Website:_BrainPop/
 * External Links**

Andrew Krumland UH ETEC Gaduate Student andrewok@hawaii.edu
 * Author**