Presentation Tools

PowerPoint

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When I was a student I used PowerPoint because of its simplicity. PowerPoint is a desktop application that is easy tool a student can use to explore creating professional presentations. It is now available to use through Windows Live as a web base platform. PowerPoint was originally created as a desktop application and I now feel its playing catch up with some other options that are web based.    

As for likes, PowerPoint is great with providing tonnes of backgrounds, themes and transitions on the program allowing you to really customize your presentation. You’re able to add external links, images and embed videos.  Another thing I do like about PowerPoint is how you can make flow charts graphs, and pyramids. I think this could benefit students who are presenting research about business or math. However, as a university student I found myself using PowerPoint less often because it’s not the best tool for collaboration or sharing where a lot of projects happened to be group work. A downfall is you are not able to upload presentations to YouTube or Facebook or other social media platforms. Also sharing with peers or colleagues requires you send your presentation as email attachment. 

Prezi

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I didn't discover Prezi until my last year of University where a peer used the online program for a professional presentation. I was drawn immediately to its aesthetic and visual look which came from the smooth and appealing transitions and object animations. Unlike PowerPoint, Prezi is presented as  whole board where students can lay out their information and it follows a progressive path as it navigates through slick transitions to display your information text, images or media. I find this as an engaging tool for students to use to develop presentations because of its simplicity but also how the interface looks would be appealing to youth.

Collaborating with Prezi is easy because it functions through an online cloud where students can share a link with their peers giving them access to edit and collaborate ideas on their presentation. Students are easily able to add text, video, and images into the Prezi interface and deliver their presentation that will look much different from the standard next slide format of PowerPoint.

Sliderocket and Google Presentation

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The best options for presentation tools that I have come across for teachers and students to use are Sliderocket and Google Presentation.  As a teacher I find these tools are important to for learning and for collaboration with peers and colleagues.  Both of these tools are online web based programs that have a comparable functionality to PowerPoint with a traditional slide to slide presentation format. However, they are great collaborative tools and it can allow students and teachers to develop great projects as a team. Both tools use the cloud based system and you are able to share presentations to social media platforms. 

Additionally Sliderocket has the best interface in my opinion and it presentation editing tools are the best. I really like how it is by far the easiest tool to use for adding audio to your presentation. With a simple click you can add narration through recording or uploading an audio clip to enhance your presentation. Sliderocket requires a subscription and has a free component that will not allow you to use all of their tools without purchase; Where Google Presentation is free for all through email.  

Overall the tools that promote collaboration for teachers and students are the best options when it comes to learning. Giving students as many opportunities to develop socially and academically through sharing ideas and executing them through collaboration is important for growth. The same applies for teacher to teacher collaboration and using online presentations is a great way to extend learning outside of your classroom and school.