Presentation tools

There are so many choices for presentation tools and digital storytelling.  I remember about seven years ago being amazed by PhotoStory, and there have been wonderful advancements in presentation software since them.  It is so easy to become complacent with just using Powerpoint that you don't take the time to look and see what else is out there. 

Blendspace would be a fantastic tool for a lesson or giving a presentation.  What I found to be interesting is that fact that you can incorporate videos, text, and images by simply dragging and dropping them right on the program.  You can label each element as you go.  Usually, when I want to show a series of videos and text, I spend time trying to remember where this document is saved and them waiting for the link to load.  I really liked how everything was in one, interactive place.  This could also be great for a group presentation.  We could upload pictures and videos taken of our Sphero assignment when we come to the Summer Institute.

Slide.ly is one of the easiest presentation tools I have used.  You simply import the pictures, download the music, and presto!  You chose which photos you want to use and the order the photos will appear.  Instead of searching for music, all you have to do is type in a song and the program finds it for you.  How much easier could it be?  This option would be the quickest to create a presentation and would be easy to use for a group project. 

Haiku Deck is another presentation tool that really impressed me.  This site has the same mentality as Reynolds from our textbook in that simple is better.  Only a few lines of text are allowed on each page.  This tool is also great to use full size, full-bleed photos.  The templates of Haiku Deck really emphasize the presenter is the main focus and to not clutter each slide with too much information.  This tool would be a great resource to use in the classroom to get students to understand how to make an effective presentation and focus on public speaking and "telling a story" instead of reading information off of a Powerpoint slide. 

Emaze is my favorite tool this week.  This is a much more dynamic presentation that Powerpoint, designed full of interactive elements.  You can incorporate Powerpoints into this program as well as include music, sounds, etc.  It is much more lively than other programs and is a way to document group work.