Prezi
- Pros:
o
People are able to collaborate and edit each
others’ work in real time
o
Can edit your prezi from anywhere you have an
internet connection
o
It’s free
o
Instead of creating the traditional “slides”
like in Powerpoint, you have a limitless “board” where you can transition between
and zoom in and out of any point
o
Easy controls for all ages to use
o
Has a lot of templates
- Cons:
o
Cannot print handouts for your presentations
o
Unable to edit without an internet connection
(unless you pay for a “pro” account)
o
Can have a high learning curve (time consuming
to master this)
o
Can cause motion sickness
o
Cannot create any text you want into a hyperlink
(you can add the entire URL, but no “Click Here” options)
Google Slides
- Pros:
o
Able to collaborate and edit one presentation at
the same time
o
Has a built in chat system which allows you to
communicate with others within the presentation
o
You can see which slides others are working on
at the time
o
Constantly updated to have the latest and
greatest on it
o
Similar to Powerpoint, so easy for Office users
to transition
- Cons:
o
Collaborating in presentations can be more
difficult than collaborating in a text document
o
Does not automatically upgrade older
presentations
o
Is not “revolutionary” (boring old
presentations)
PowToon
- Pros:
o
Creates animated videos instead of presentations
o
Can add images, music, movement, and voice over
by doing a simple drag and drop
o
Can be accessed from anywhere you have an
internet connection
o
Doesn’t require the user to draw/create their
own images, and instead can focus on creating their story
o
Seems very easy to use and animate
- Cons:
o
Does not work on all platforms
o
Does not contains as many vibrant templates
o
Free account is limited to 5 minute videos and
your choice of images is more limited
o
Must be online to use
Zoho Show
- Pros:
o
Easy to do simple editing
o
Allows real time collaboration
o
Can export to .pptx, as well as others
- Cons:
o
Very small amount of online storage
o
Must be online to use
o
Limited in the tools available to you
Emaze
- Pros
o
Very interesting and engaging templates
o
Straight forward controls with most items being
familiar to powerpoint users
o
Able to add hyperlinks to any object you’d like
o
Can insert videos, images and shapes
- Cons:
o
Limited template options
o
No special transitions between slides
o
Cannot collaborate in real time
o
Can’t change scrolling speed within presentation
I have used powtow in the past for an assignment. It was a fun tool that allowed me to express my thinking without having to write out a lot of information. A great way for kids to express there thinking on topics in the class.
ReplyDeleteWith a number of options available to use, how would you manage this in class? Would you list the tools and ask them to explore or would you model the use of each? I have experienced trying to teach one tool and have found it a challenge. What are your thoughts?
Thanks for the new resources. I haven't tried using Emaze or Zoho before. I found that when I was taking 9F61, I kept finding more and more different presentation tools that were available, and it's always interesting to find new ones!
DeleteTo answer switch's comment - personally, I try to leave options open for the students. It is difficult enough as a teacher to be an expert in one piece of software, let alone as many as are out there. The nice thing is, from a viewer's standpoint, each of the presentations seem relatively easy to navigate. I have to agree that it is difficult to try to teach the tools themselves. Instead, in my mind, let the kids use what they are comfortable with, and let them run with it - I am always surprised what my students are able to come up with!
Great resources. I'll need to try Zoho as it's a new one to me.
ReplyDeleteI gave similar options to my students for a recent book report assignment. There were a lot of limitations with eMaze but the students really enjoyed PowToons. The only downside was that students attempted to use the video they created in the same fashion as one would with traditional slides. This left students starting and stopping the video throughout their presentation.
See my presentation software options lesson here:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qz2C5A5-5mLUI614YsMRmKLGiopgdka3X0jtE_P2EFU/edit?usp=sharing
What a great post and description of resources that are available to us. You certainly demonstrated that there are pros and cons to all programs and that it depends on a whole lot of factors when we choose a certain method or tool for any particular assignment. I am going to use PowToons in my class this year as I like the storytelling aspect. - Zoe
ReplyDeleteI chuckled when I read the comment about Prezi causing motion sickness. More seriously though, it can take students and teachers awhile to master this tool. I like what the other were saying about giving the students the option of choosing their tool when creating presentations. Having that choice gives them more ownership of their work. Have you ever "forbidden" a tool?
ReplyDeleteI 'forbid' PowerPoint in an effort to get students to try a new presentation software!
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