Week 5: PowerPoint, Prezi and Glogster

This week's blog post will examine a set of tools that can be used to present/mashup/collate learning or information. The three tools are all capable of interactivity and multimodal (text, audio, images and movies) sources.

To begin with, there are numerous tools and technologies that can be found both online and as software packages. The selected tools for this week I will be reflecting on are PowerPoint, Prezi, and Glogster.

Looking firstly at PowerPoint, this Microsoft Office tool has been around for as long as I can remember. I can still recall being at primary school and creating a PowerPoint to present to my class on a project I had created for a Science unit. Still to this day I use PowerPoint, whether it being for a University group presentation or as a tool when I am on Prac at a school to teach students about a topic . PowerPoint can be regarded as a presentation tool that is used to support oral presentations. But from looking at this week's topic, it is so much more. It is a platform that supports the embedding of text, linking and interactivity, audio, video and images. So it is really a very easy to use multimedia authoring tool.

Prezi has been my favourite presenting tools since I began at Uni. It is "cloud-based, meaning you can present from your browser, desktop, iPad, iPhone, or Android device and always have the latest version of your work at your fingertips. You can create or edit on the go, then auto-sync across all your devices with ease." (Prezi, 2015). The available templates are so unique and versatile to suit whatever topic or task that is required. The particular aspect I love about prezi the most is the way in which you can zoom in and out. You can have a full view to look at the bigger picture, and then zoom in to highlight a particular fine detail.

Glogster is something that is extremely new to me. Before beginning this task I have had no experience what so ever with using this particular tool. However  from exploring this tool and creating one myself, I can see the opportunities this tool can provide. Glogs allows you to make interactive multimedia posters that "express ideas with ease by combining images, graphics, audio, video and text on one digital canvas" (Glogster, 2015). It can be used in a presentation sense, or also for other uses such as digital storytelling, to share fieldtrip reports or even other reports like sports or experiment summary reports. Glogster has many aspects which are very appealing and versatile to suit educators or students needs.

PowerPoint:

PowerPoint is a computer program that allows you to create and show slides to support a presentation. You can combine text, graphics and multi-media content to create presentations (University of Leicester, n.d). PowerPoint has endless options which allows you to create stimulating and engaging presentations. As well it can used for other learning and information presenting tools, such as learning stories, presenting projects, or as a brainstorming/ concept map tool to name a few.

Plus

Has endless colours, backgrounds and layouts to choose from.

Can incorporate text, images, graphics, sounds/audio, videos.

Can assist students with disabilities.

Don't need to access the internet to create.

Can be used by teachers as well as students.

Can be used to create, edit and share individual publications.

Many functions available, such as: set timer for slide changes, set transitions for how images and texts change, clip art available, word art, borders, textboxes, page numbers, header and footers, titles, animations, transition sounds and speeds, movies, videos, sounds and music can also be added.

Classroom application:  used for a slideshow, to present information, to create a story, novel, new ending to a story, procedural text, present research, homework tasks or address a topic, vocabulary review, spelling activity, embed images, videos, movies, songs, be used as a group collaboration or as a tool to assist oral presentations.

Minus

Is only available on computers and laptops. And you usually need to purchase the Microsoft Office software to create.

Can get overwhelming at times with the endless functions available. Can waste hours on design and formatting, rather than on the real reason for the creation (information or content, actually being presented or marked on.

Can cause issues when transferring from  different Microsoft Office models (years), such as a computer at home may have only PowerPoint 2007, while a school computer may have PowerPoint 2010. Changes and formatting may not be available, hence causing issues when converting between the two.

Many images are protected by copyright. It is necessary to inform students about copyrighting, and how you should explicitly state when you sourced them from.

Interesting

PowerPoint is so versatile for the creation of learning objects and games. Reflecting on the tool, a significantly interesting aspect that stood out to me the most was the use combining numerous effects to present in a way that allows you to not necessary use a clicker. The presentation can succinctly flow using transitions at different speeds.

SAMR model: Examples of how PowerPoint can be used in the classroom for each level of the model.

Redefinition	Students can add audio features to match their story/narrative. Or go beyond with doing voice over to narrate or tell their story.
Modification	Students can bring together their stories/narratives by adding extra features such as transitioning tools. Reflect and edit also with peers for feedback.
Augmentation	Students can begin to select images or colours to assist the story or narrative. As well as review and edit using grammar check.
Substitution	Students can begin by writing/ typing information into a PowerPoint such as a story or narrative

Prezi:

Prezi is extremely fun to use, I personally love creating using this tool, as it's very personalised and has endless creative and interactive options. This tool I've found to be particularly simulating and engaging  in comparison to PowerPoint. When presenting, I'd very much so use a Prezi over a PowerPoint as it's more unique and the zooming options available make it easier to view key aspects for audience members.

Plus

It is free to use.

It is highly interactive and engaging.

Similar functions and features to PowerPoint.

Has tons of templates available to suit any topic.

Very updated for today's lifestyle and learners.

Can be printed, easily edited and publishable, presented remotely, downloaded, you are able to save a copy or embeded.

The sharing features is useful in an education setting, as it can be set to different privacy levels (private or public).

Unlike PowerPoint, Prezi is a zooming canvas with unlimited possibilities.

Can be customised to suit the situation. Such as everything can be manipulated and moved around.

Can embed images, text, video, audio and clipart only available to Prezi.

Classroom application: Can be used as a presentation tool for both teachers and students. Can be used as a learning quest or journey, can be embedded into websites or blogs, hence be used in conjunction with other materials. Be used in group tasks, as interactive classroom sessions, as concept map or brainstorming tool. Students can use it as a way to express their learning of a topic, or a project they created, or even as a advertising/marketing tool. Students can also create a Prezi as a form of 'all about me', to represent their selves, there personality and individuality. Teachers on the other hand can use Prezi as a tool to present a new topic, the beginning of a unit, or a hook to engage students into tasks. Can also be shared with parents and carers using the sharing setting.

Minus

The free application can only be accessed online using the internet, to work offline you would need to upgrade to pro and pay fees per month or annually.

Sometimes Prezi's can take a long time to load or not load at all due to internet connection or availability.

Some computers do not have the correct software to present Prezi's, which can cause a lot of dramas, and a back up option is needed.

Navigation at first can be painful if you are not familiar with using Prezi. Hence a lot of time needs to be available if students are going to use this tool in the classroom.

Interesting

Before beginning this task, I did not know that it was possible to view other peoples work and Prezi's they have created. This is extremely interesting and worthwhile, as you are able to get greater ideas for your personal creation, as well as allows you to use these already made Prezi's, that can be highly beneficial in the classroom.

SAMR model: Examples of how Prezi can be used in the classroom for each level of the model.

Redefinition	Students present Prezi to the class on their chosen topic, they also share it publically for others to also view.
Modification	Students furthermore add images, audio and videos to their Prezi display
Augmentation	Students can share their information and research they have gathered online in a Prezi.
Substitution	Students can explore a topic, via a Prezi already created by the teacher.

Glogster:

Glogster can be described as an online 'scrapbooking' tool. They are a fantastic education tool, which is easy to use, free to try, and are simple yet effective. They are highly engaging and can be designed personally to suit your needs and requirements. The possibilities for 'Glogs' are endless and allows both educator and learners the opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge.

Plus

Develops Presentation Skills

Improves Students Engagement

Increases Digital Literacy

Encourages Creativity

Multimedia Rich

Paperless

Can be used to display information

Used in groups or individual tasks

As an assessment piece

Stored and accessed online

Can be tailored to all individuals

Appropriate for classroom use

Different elements are easy to embed such as audio and visuals

Can be used for learning tasks such as exploring a unit or topic, sharing a project or findings

Also used to create posters, reports, or share a learning journey

Can access a library of shared content 'Glogpedia'

Minus

Has to be accessed via the internet/ online

These type of programs can be slow to load

You also have to pay a fee per year to upgrade your account subscription

Interesting

I am beyond impressed by the opportunities this tool features.

Something that stood out to me the most was the ability to access it via an iPad app, rather than just a laptop or computer.

Also the Glogs available in the Glogpedia Content Library is very handy as a teacher to use as inspiration or to use a already available, engaging resource.

SAMR model: Examples of how Glogster can be used in the classroom for each level of the model.

Redefinition	Students complete all of the below, as well as design and create their own glog on an individual project topic and then share it with others in the class, as well as provide feedback to each others.
Modification	A glog can be used as an outline for a project or report.
Augmentation	They can type in information online, as well as add images, audio and videos.
Substitution	Students can write in information online, rather than in their books.

In summary of all the three tools explored in this blog post, it's also important to highlight the necessity of teaching students about conducting safe and ethical practice in regards to a digital and online environment.  Educators too need to adhere to these safe practices as well.

Here are some examples and sources of exploring these 3 tools:

PowerPoint:

Prezi: A Prezi I have previously created for a Math Presentation of a resource package

http://prezi.com/uexqb2ar2gyt/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Glogster:
 

References:

Glogster. (2015). How Glogster works. Retrieved from http://edu.glogster.com/?ref=com

Prezi. (2015). Retrieved from https://prezi.com/

University of Leicester. (n.d). Study Guide: Using PowerPoint. Retrieved from http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/presentations/using-ppt