Present at Dynamic Landscapes this spring

Would you like to share a successful project, teach a new skill, or lead a discussion at Dynamic Landscapes 2020? 

Applications are due this Friday.  You don't need to have the idea fully fleshed out (and I can help with filling out the form).

Here's where to submit your proposal and learn more about the conference.

Dynamic Landscapes 2019

Here's a "save the date" for Dynamic Landscapes 2019.  May 20-21.  Past attendees (and presenters) from CVU have found this to be a useful and enjoyable conference.  Let's get a group together again this year! 

And why not consider presenting at the conference? Recent CVU presenters have included Annie Bellerose, Corinna Hussey, Peter Langella, Troy Paradee, Amy Wardwell, and yours truly. Talk to any one of us to learn more.

Please let me know if you're interested in going this year. Don't register yourself-- I'll put a list together so we can apply at once for a group discount.

More info here.

It's OK to show off!

The Technology Integration Committee will be doing a presentation next month where we share some ideas for learning with digital tools.  We are putting it together now and I wanted to extend an invitation to any student or teacher who would like to share what they've done.  We're looking for innovative ways that you've communicated, created, collaborated, problem-solved. It doesn't need to be a big deal-- perhaps you've video-conferenced with an off-site mentor, or created a powerful graphic, or used technology to solve a math problem...

As the title of this posts says, "It's OK to show off!"  Send me an email (cmacfadyen@cvsdvt.org) if you think you might like to contribute.

Thanks.

Showing a selected portion of a video in Slides

A common question is whether you can play just a piece of a video in Google Slides.  The answer is yes!  Right-click the video and choose Format options.  Click on Video Playback and you can then set the Start and End times.

Here's a short screencast I recorded that shows how to do it...

Insert videos from Google Drive into Google Slides

Up until now, Google Slides only allowed YouTube videos. But many of us store videos in Google Drive. You can now insert those videos into Slides. Like so:

New Q&A feature in Google Slides

Google Slides (formerly Google Presentations) recently got a great update that's worth checking out. You can now collect audience questions using something called Q&A.  Essentially, while you're presenting, audience members post questions to a link you provide.  Other audience members can then vote up a a question.  At any point, you can see which questions have a lot of votes and reply to them.

This is a great way to involve the audience (even the shy people who might never raise their hand) and filter for questions that have a lot of interest.

Here's a video of Q&A in action (featuring the winner of the first Google Science Fair)

Made to Stick Google Slides Template

Many teachers (and maybe students) have read the book Made to Stick,  which is subtitled, Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die.

I was working on a new Google Slides presentation today and I noticed the the Heath brothers (who wrote the book) have created a Google Slides template.  It might be worth a look the next time you are putting together a presentation in which you want your ideas to, well, stick.

Another  great resource for effective slide decks is the  book Presentation Zen (available in the CVU library) and the companion website

New templates in Google Slides (Presentations) and Sheets, too!

image from pixabay.com

Yesterday I posted about the new templates in Google Docs.  What I didn't mention is that they're also in Slides (the "Powerpoint" of Google Docs) and Sheets (spreadsheets).

There are templates for things like calendars and monthly budgets (in Sheets) and science projects (in Slides).

Check them out at:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/u/0/

and

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/

Using PiktoChart in presentation mode

Do you use PiktoChart?  I've posted about this great tool for creating infographics.  Recently, I learned something new about PiktoChart from a student...

Groups were presenting in my computer programming class.  Most used Google presentations or Prezis, but one group surprised me by using PiktoChart.  It turns out that there is a now a "Presentation Mode" that shows one block of the infographic at a time in a nice, clean interface.  It worked great for the presentation they were doing.

You can try it here (click on Presentation Mode on the upper right):

Here's how to use Presentation Mode in PiktoChart. 

Simple animation technique for presentations

When creating a series of slides in Powerpoint, Google Presentations/Slides, Keynote, etc., it is often effective to have elements appear one at a time (as opposed to all at once).  These applications have the ability to apply those kinds of animations on slides, but there's another very easy way to accomplish the same effect.

• Create the final version of the slide (with all the text, images, etc. on it)
• Make several copies of that slide 
• Moving back through the slides, selectively remove elements

Here it is in action:

And here is a very short screencast on how to do it:

PowerPoints in Google Drive

As you probably know, two popular choices for presentations are Google Presentations and Microsoft PowerPoint.  Google Presentations are great because they are so easy to collaborate on and share.  One reason that you might use PowerPoint,. however, would be if you needed to incorporate sound or advanced animations in the presentation.  The question then is, how do I share my PowerPoint?

Answer: you can use Google Drive to store and share PowerPoints, without converting them into Google Presentations. So, if you have a PowerPoint that has embedded sound or other special elements that aren't available in Google Presentations, here's how you can share them:

1. Open Google Drive and click on the Settings icon (looks like a gear).


2. From there, choose "Confirm settings before each upload" as shown.

You will only need to this once and the settings will stick.

3. Click the upload icon to upload your PowerPoint.

4. Find your file and upload it.  You will get the message shown below.  Do not check the box that says "Convert documents..."

5. You can now share the file as you would any Google doc.  For the people on the other end to have the full effect (including sound, for example), they will need to download it, using the arrow icon shown.

Tools for presenting learning

Students, here are some ideas for tools you can use to present your learning.  I wrote it up for a specific class, but thought it might be useful as a general resources.  I've given a brief description and pros and cons of each tool.  Do you have any other tools that you think should be on this list?  Please let me know at cmacfadyen@cvuhs.org

Tech Tools for Presenting Your Learning

Powerpoint.

What it is- set of linked slides

Pros- you probably know how to use it already.  It has lots of features to enhance your presentation.  

Cons- doesn’t work well with YouTube video.

Google Presentation.

What it is- set of linked slides

Pros- web-based, easy to use.  Incorporates YouTube video.

Cons- no sound (other than from video).  Not as fully-featured as Powerpoint.

Prezi

What it is- a canvas with elements that are linked by a path.

Pros- allows for a creative path between elements, including zooming in and out. Has nice templates to start from.

Cons- Not great for lots of text.

Powtoon

What it is- a set of linked slides, but with animated features on each slide.

Pros- Professional looking and engaging.  You can control when things appear and disappear from slides.

Cons- Can’t do narration slide-by-slide. Only for the whole presentation.

Educreations (for iPad)

What it is-  use your iPad to record your screen

Pros- record while you draw on the iPad.  Can also import images and add text.

Cons- Can’t run other apps while recording.

Dipity

What it is- a tool for creating timelines.  

Pros- you can add multimedia to events on the timeline

Cons- Limited to content that is time-based (dates).

Pixton

What it is- comic strip creator.

Pros- sophisticated control of the character drawings.

Cons- not the easiest to use.  Need parent permission for account unless you’re 19.

Comix

What it is- comic strip creator

Pros- Easy to use.  Supports multi-languages, including Latin.  Comic strips can be printed or e-mailed

Cons- comics cannot be saved, so they need to be done in one shot.  Best to have the dialogue written out first, so you can just do the pictures and add in the text.

Glogster

What it is- online digital poster creator

Pros- Easy to use. Incorporates video and images easily.

Cons- Limited space on poster.  

WeVideo

What it is- online video editor

Pros- Nice editor. Easy to use. Make videos from still pictures and video clips

Cons- web-based, so you want decent wifi connection.  Can export 15 minutes of video per month with free account

Google Sites

What it is- create a web site with linked pages

Pros- can insert all kinds of content (video, Google Docs, maps, etc)

Cons- Hard to incorporate sound.

PhotoStory (for PC computers)

What it is- upload a series of images and add narration/commentary

Pros- easy to use, can record your voice directly into the app

Cons- No video.  Limited functionality.

VoiceThread

What it is- like Photostory, except you can put multiple comments on each slide.

Pros- web-based, mutlti-media can draw on screen to highlight while speaking

Cons- Intended more for group conversations than individual presentations.

iMovie (mac computers and iOS)

What it is- movie editor

Pros- It’s already on your mac.  Has templates you can use.

Cons- Titles and other elements can be hard to work with.  Not easy if you want to do more than use the template.

Windows MovieMaker (PC computers)

What it is- movie editor

Pros- Easy to use

Cons- Limited features.

MonkeyJam (PC computers)

What it is- stop motion animation software

Pros- create animation using legos, clay, etc.

Cons- I don’t know this software well, so…

GarageBand (mac computers)

What it is- audio recorder and editor

Pros- Lots of prerecorded “loops” for background music. Easy to use.

Cons- Interface can be challenging for beginners.

Audacity

What it is- audio recorder and editor

Pros- free download.  Lots of features.

Cons- Need to learn how to work with multiple tracks and importing audio, if needed.  No pre-installed “loops” (as in GarageBand)

Powtoon

Students and teachers,
Looking for a new presentation tool?  Here's a nice one that is fun and easy to use. It allows you to create animations on each slide and incorporate images and video.  Check out Powtoon in this short demo I made:

New templates in Prezi

Prezi announced today that they have introduced 42 new templates.  Templates can be a great way to get started in Prezi. You can see in the image below how the template prompts you where to place content.  The path is already created for you.  Give it a try!

Have you tried Prezi lately?

I was in Lezlee's class the other day helping the students were make Prezi presentations.  It reminded me that the interface has changed quite a bit since the early days.  If you haven't made a Prezi in the past year or so, you may be surprised at how much easier it's become.  There are also more templates available to get you started quicker.  One of my complaints about Prezi is that while it is often described as a "non-linear" presentation tool (in opposition to Powerpoint, Google Presentations, Keynote, etc.),  it is really just a different way to create a path between what would be called "slides" in the other applications.  The new interface makes that clearer-- you create a series of "frames" along a path that shows up on the left.  The big difference is that in Prezi, the entirety of the presentation is on one canvas,  so you can zoom in a particular detail, return to an earlier frame, etc. with ease.  Definitely worth taking a look. You can add narration, video, and more.   As always, I'd love to help you and your students with getting started!

Here's a Prezi about Prezi:

Prezi adds audio!

Prezi is a popular presentation tool for students and teachers alike.  One of the drawbacks has been the lack of sound.  Prezi just announced that they have now added the ability to incorporate sound.  Here's a video about it:

Embedding YouTube into PowerPoint (update 12/12)

Well, it was good while it lasted.  PowerPoint 2012 had the ability to play YouTube videos inside a presentation.  I say "had" because this required embed code from YouTube that is no longer available.  So how can you show videos during a PowerPoint?  Here are three ideas:

1. Put a link to the video in the PowerPoint (this is what we all used to do).  The video will play in a browser, separate from PowerPoint.  You may also want to have the video queued up in a browser, so you can exit the PowerPoint and start playing immediately.
2. Try this tool, which promises to deliver the required embed code: http://www.tools4noobs.com/online_tools/youtube_xhtml/.
3. Don't use PowerPoint.  
1. Google Presentations play YouTube videos very nicely (note that YouTube is owned by Google).  They don't, however play sounds.  Or...
2. Have you checked out SlideRocket?    It's listed under "More" in our Google Apps.  SlideRocket is a professional-looking presentation tool that has some nice templates. Works with both video and sound, which Google Presentation doesn't.
3. Prezi also works with YouTube video.

Prezi

(Originally posted 3/30/10)

Prezi is a different way to make presentations. It is especially useful for looking at the big picture versus the details. 
Check out this example from CVU student Maddie R (used with permission- thanks to Joe G):
http://prezi.com/pq1f-tgzlefi/the-battle-at-the-nile/
or this template about perspective:
http://prezi.com/cqmxgc-xv9jh/template-reveal-a-new-perspective/

Digital poster projects

(Originally posted 1/7/11)

If you have a project that involves students designing a poster, consider a digital tool.

Why? Digital posters are

• Multi-media- incorporate images, video, and sound.
• Multi-dimensional- use hyperlinks and “hot-spots” to extend.
• Sharable- beyond the classroom.
• Engaging- students tend to enjoy working with digital tools

How?
Here are some tools to consider (with examples of actual student work):

• Glogster http://felicia22.edu.glogster.com/grapesofwrath
• Prezi http://prezi.com/pq1f-tgzlefi/the-battle-at-the-nile/
• VuVox Collage http://www.vuvox.com/collage/detail/0ac64b387
• Students can also use productivity tools such as Google Presentation (great for embedded YouTube video), Google Sites, or Microsoft Powerpoint.

Students can be given the choice of which tool to use, with the constant being the content to be "displayed." I would love to come into your class and support this kind of project.

Using the new Google Presentations editor

Google Presentations (the "Powerpoint" of Google) has a new editor that features slide transistions, animations, "fair use" image search, and real-time collaboration among editors. It (still) doesn't require any software other than a web browser (and connection to the internet) and it allows a group of students to all work together on a presentation. Oh, and YouTube video is easy to embed.
If you haven't tried it lately, it's worth taking a look. Here's a video I made that demonstrates some of the new features:
http://bit.ly/tkUhT8

(originally posted 12/20/11)