viernes, 2 de marzo de 2012

CREATING ONLINE PRESENTATIONS

Since presentation tools such as Powerpoint (Microsoft) and Keynote (Apple) came along, the teaching-learning process has changed dramatically. These tools  have caused a big impact on the way we approach knowledge nowadays, something that is always in movement, is alive, changes, can be shared.
People learn more readily and retain more information when learning is reinforced by visualization. You can inform and entertain- docere and delectare- an audience at the same time by the proper integration of visual images into virtually any exchange of information. Meetings which might normally be considered dull can  grab the attention of the viewers this way.  
Everybody knows the advantages of presentations in class, above all, it is an eco-friendly way of  assessment and teachers do not have to carry huge piles of paper-projects home. They help structure lessons and avoid the use of the age-old chalkboard although it still can be an effective teaching tool with today's tech-savvy student...


People use them to share not only academic knowledge but also feelings, challenging ideas, catchy motos, favourite songs and lyrics, love declarations. They foster collaboration, team work, online education. Anybody can become an author and publish online. 

The most popular online presentation tools are:
  • GoogleDocs  a collaborative online writing or word processing tool that offers a presentation maker similar to Powerpoint or Keynote. You can upload Powerpoints or Create your own original presentation online then publish them on the web, email them, embed them on your website, etc. Several people can edit at once, too. Google also has templates for documents, spreadsheets and presentations available for students and teachers. ZohoShow is similar and also free.
  • SlideShare provides a way to share already created Powerpoint presentations online, tag them, email them, get comments on them, and get html code for embedding them to your own blog, wiki or website. You can add audio, notes, and even YouTube videos to your Powerpoint presentations in SlideShare. You can also find presentations others have created on the topic and communicate with those who have similar interests.
  • VoiceThread "is an online media album that can hold essentially any type of media (images, documents and videos) and allows people to make comments in 5 different ways - using voice (with a microphone or telephone), text, audio file, or video (with a webcam) - and share them with anyone they wish. A VoiceThread allows group conversations to be collected and shared in one place, from anywhere in the world. Ed.VoiceThread.com is reserved for K-12 education only. There is a VoiceThread Ning where you can share ideas and examples with other educators who use VoiceThread. There is also a VoiceThread wiki and a VoiceThread directory. In the directory, educators can add their contact information, VoiceThread project description, project dates and grade level if they are looking for collaborators on projects. Be sure to see the library page and examples. More examples and ideas can be found inVoicethread Examples in Education. 
  • Animoto  allows to upload photos, select music and Animoto renders a music video for you. A 30-second video is free; longer is $3. An all-access pass ($30) lets you create all the videos you want for a full year. Also, check out the Animoto Education program and features. 
  • Glogster can create an interactive online poster with links, photos, text, stickers, sound, music, animation and more. See --and submit--other Glogster examples on the Presentation Tools--Ideas to Share page. Be sure to use the education version. If you have a Glogster account, you can embed your posters directly into a Wikispaces wiki page,without ever leaving Wikispaces, and without having to copy any code.
  • Prezi this is one of my favourites. You can create maps of texts, images, videos, PDFs, drawings and, what's really new, present in a nonlinear way. Zooming presentation maker. Learn more about Prezi here.


The Key Steps for a Good Presentation:

1. KNOW YOUR SUBJECT MATTER
Research the subject. Read reports and look up information about the subject with the specific purpose of writing a presentation script. When examined in this light, new ideas and alternative ways of thinking often develop. You are in effect selling your ideas to the audience. 

2. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
A small amount of research into the makeup of your audience will reap large benefits on presentation day.You have to  tailor different presentations for a specific audience . You must have a couple of other versions (depending on whether they're for or against ). Don’t be very categoric.
Before you 're-purpose'  make the obvious adjustments and then carefully review your content.

3. KNOW YOURSELF (and your limits)
Knowing a few of your limit might avert disaster, or at least embarassment. Your 'limits' are just where you may or may not tread, depending on the makeup of your audience and your relationship with them.

4. DEVELOP A THEME
All presentations, regardless of their complexity, are designed with a single purpose. State that purpose to yourself at the beginning of the development process. Keep this purpose in mind always.

5. PREPARE YOUR SCRIPT
The script does not necessarily have to be a work of literary excellence. For some, simple notes on 3 x 5 file cards are sufficient.  The exact form of the script depends on the formality of the presentation, the make up of the audience and who will be presenting it. It should consist of the same four basic parts, an opening, body, summary and closing. 

THE OPENING 
It sets the stage for what is to follow. The purpose of the presentation is stated. You should also present a VERY BRIEF summary or outline of the points to be covered. This helps keep your audience oriented properly within the framework of your script. 

BODY 
The bulk of the subject matter is presented. The body of a presentation should be separated into smaller parts. Each part should make a single idea. These sub-sections should  also  have their own  opening, body and summary.  

SUMMARY 
It must be very brief and simple. It reinforces the central theme and purpose of your presentation. Briefly emphasize the key points and main ideas of your script in this section. You should encourage questions from the audience if time or format permits, but be prepared to answer them

CLOSING
In a well structured closing, points are summarized and any handout material is distributed. Handout material which emphasizes each key point or idea permits your audience to review the subject and assures that your words will remain fresh in their minds. Handout material should not be distributed before a presentation unless it is critical to the theme since it invariably leads to audience distraction.

6. SELECT THE PROPER VISUAL AIDS. Depending on no. of attendants, duration and  content of presentation.

7. PREPARE A STORY BOARD (storyboard template)
A story board does not have to be complicated or time consuming to prepare. Its main purpose is to give a general view of the presentation and communicate the important items.  When your story board reaches final form it becomes the finished draft for your presentation. This is one of the most important parts of your presentation.The final story board should consist of a sketch of each individual image, in sufficient detail to convey its approximate finished appearance.

8. PRESENTATION DAY
On the day of the presentation, arrive and set up early. Make sure that your online presentation is ok  and extra copies of the handout material close at hand. 
You have your visuals, you are well rehearsed, the room is set up and the participants are all prepared. Speak clearly and with authority. A little humor if tastefully added can help break the tension of the moment. There should be no surprises. Make certain that the audience questions have been addressed, and of course, thank everyone for their attention.