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:

Technology Integration Showcase 01

You may recall that last year, I started posting excellent work that students did using technology in what I called the "Technology Integration Showcase."  Since our help site is now public, I have gotten permission from some of the students to re-post their work here.

If you are a student or teacher that would like to share what you've done, please let me know.  Go ahead and show off-- it may inspire others!

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OK, here are three from last year to kick it off...

1. Here is what Antonio F and Graeme W created when asked by Garett MacCurtain to present their understanding of the fall of Rome: 

Students were given the choice of how to do this presentation. These students used goanimate to produce an animation. Others used Prezi, Lego animation, video editing software, and more.

Rome pt. 1 by antonio and graeme 12 on GoAnimate


Rome pt.2 by antonio and graeme 12 on GoAnimate

Part1: http://goanimate.com/videos/0SykfUI0Obnk/1

Part 2: http://goanimate.com/videos/0S66Tshf4F_Y/1

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2. As part of the final exam in Natural Resources, Mike Burris and Nicole Gorman asked students to create a Forest Management Plan for the Hinesburg Town Forest. Students had used GPS devices to find coordinates, then used Google Earth to create and annotate a map. The map was part of a presentation students did of their plans.

Here is Nik's  (click "Download," then "open in Google Earth."):

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3. Students in Glenn Fay's Thayer Model Engineering course built engaging websites and entered them into a ThinkQuest competition.


Here's a site built by Chris B and Andrew D:
http://consciousconsumption.netai.net/

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.