I focused my
exploration on presentation tools students could use in the classroom, or use
within assignments in their LMS. The three creativity tool apps I explored
included:
- Canva
- Visme
- Google Slides
Canva is a well-known cloud-based graphic design software, but it's not too popular for presentations. While it still has the “capabilities” for presentation design, its main focus is on social media graphics. What this means is that it offers a few visually appealing slide templates and you can create designs in the correct presentation dimensions. There are a few static chart options and Canva also has tons of graphic elements to choose from, such as photos, shapes and icons, so that you can still create static presentations in their software.
Pros
· Premade presentation templates to choose from.
· Graphics like photos, shapes and icons to spice up
your design.
Cons
· Not made for presentation design, so there are no
animation or transition effects available.
· No content blocks or slide library available to save
larger pieces of content and reuse later.
Visme is a
cloud-based graphic design software that allows designers and
non-designers (like me!) to create beautiful and professional presentations,
infographics, social media graphics and MORE.
But what sets Visme apart
from other presentation apps and software is that it also comes with various
interactivity options, like hyperlinked elements, video embed, audio
upload and recording features.
Pros
· A drag-and-drop editor and thousands of templates that
allow users with any level of graphic design experience to create visually
appealing presentations.
· Built-in library of free icons, fonts, images, shapes
and other graphic elements.
· The ability to present your slideshow online, or
download as PDF, HTML5 or PPTX so you can present it without an internet
connection.
Cons
· Due to the large amount of design elements and slide
layouts involved, there was an initial learning curve when first using the
software.
Everyone has heard of
Google, right? So it’s no surprise that Google
Slides is one of the more popular presentation apps and PowerPoint
alternatives available. But popular does not always mean best. While the
service is free to any Google account holder, its slide layouts are basic at
best and its design capabilities are extremely limited. However, if you need a
quick and to-the-point presentation, Google Slides can be a great option since
it’s free and has next to no learning curve. If you’ve used PowerPoint, you
know how to use Google Slides.
Pros
· Free for anyone with a Google account.
· Easy to use for creating a basic presentation.
· Users can collaborate in real-time and make comments
and edits throughout the slides.
Cons
· Extremely limited design capabilities.
I chose to continue to
explore Visme, as I was not initially familiar with it and this assignment gave
me the chance to explore a new tool. Visme users can start from a preset of
professional templates or start from a blank canvas and create their own
content, fully personalized to their specific needs. Visme is free to all
users; it takes just a few seconds to register and start creating your first
project. Most features are free to all users and other features are available
for an affordable fee of under $5/month. The ability to publish a project and
access it in various forms also gives Visme an edge over other online tools.
Users can easily publish and share their Visme online, embed it to a website or
blog, and can even download it as an Image, PDF or as HTML which will preserve
all interactivity and can be used offline.
As a community college administrator, I am not in the classroom, from an instructional viewpoint. I tried to think of ways my faculty could use Visme to enhance their classroom instruction.
The first example involves lessons within an EKG Technician training program. Many students struggle with the initial concepts of interpreting EKGs. Once the foundational content is explained and reviewed in class, students would be given an assignment to 1. Complete their own 12-lead EKG. 2. Interpret their own EKG 3. Create a Visme presentation with each step required to correctly interpret the EKG
Allowing a student to take their own EKG, as well as develop the step by step instructions required to read and interpret the EKG integrates the technological, pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) together and enhances the activities of the original assignment, just teaching students how to read EKGs. Using Visme, it gives the students a chance to make a presentation more interesting and meaningful for them, as well as more engaged in their learning. My hope is they would also have fun trying out this new tool and doing something different than they had done in the past.
The second example includes student comprehension of basic electrical theory concepts, a course within an Industrial Maintenance Technician training program. Understanding basic electrical theory is the foundation of industrial mechanics, immediately after safety! A typical, classroom instructional lecture could be enhanced through the student using Visme to apply the knowledge of series and parallel cicruits and Ohm’s Law. With the interactivity allowances using Visme, students can create a presentation showing their knowledge comprehension and understanding of the basic electrical concepts.
Allowing students to use technology tools in and out of the classroom affords a sense of ownership and engagement to the students. They are involved at a deeper level, seeking to expand their knowledge through additional research rather than just repeating what they wrote down in a lecture in the classroom. While it is the educator’s job to provide information and direction to the student, they do not have to limit (within reason) the tools or applications the students uses to express the information they have learned. Allowing the student to choose their creative outlet will permit imagination and connection to their work.
As a community college administrator, I am not in the classroom, from an instructional viewpoint. I tried to think of ways my faculty could use Visme to enhance their classroom instruction.
The first example involves lessons within an EKG Technician training program. Many students struggle with the initial concepts of interpreting EKGs. Once the foundational content is explained and reviewed in class, students would be given an assignment to 1. Complete their own 12-lead EKG. 2. Interpret their own EKG 3. Create a Visme presentation with each step required to correctly interpret the EKG
Allowing a student to take their own EKG, as well as develop the step by step instructions required to read and interpret the EKG integrates the technological, pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) together and enhances the activities of the original assignment, just teaching students how to read EKGs. Using Visme, it gives the students a chance to make a presentation more interesting and meaningful for them, as well as more engaged in their learning. My hope is they would also have fun trying out this new tool and doing something different than they had done in the past.
The second example includes student comprehension of basic electrical theory concepts, a course within an Industrial Maintenance Technician training program. Understanding basic electrical theory is the foundation of industrial mechanics, immediately after safety! A typical, classroom instructional lecture could be enhanced through the student using Visme to apply the knowledge of series and parallel cicruits and Ohm’s Law. With the interactivity allowances using Visme, students can create a presentation showing their knowledge comprehension and understanding of the basic electrical concepts.
Allowing students to use technology tools in and out of the classroom affords a sense of ownership and engagement to the students. They are involved at a deeper level, seeking to expand their knowledge through additional research rather than just repeating what they wrote down in a lecture in the classroom. While it is the educator’s job to provide information and direction to the student, they do not have to limit (within reason) the tools or applications the students uses to express the information they have learned. Allowing the student to choose their creative outlet will permit imagination and connection to their work.
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