To Use or Not to Use: A Review of Some Tools for Educators/Presenters by Edie Flores
Vcasmo
This week I reviewed three websites, which offered inventive
ways for the user to make a presentation to share with others, whether online
or in person. The first tool I visited was found at
www.vcasmo.com. The site offers a unique
feature where the user can create both a video and presentation and show them
side by side. Your presentation window is twice as long allowing your video to
run alongside a PowerPoint-type presentation.
When I initially visited the site, I decided to sign up.
Following registration, you are sent a confirmation email. I waited all day for mine and did not receive
it until the next day. What I like about this software is being able to have a
pre-recorded audio commentary alongside a presentation slides. I viewed one
user’s “how to” video which explained how to make a presentation in seven easy
steps. It was very easy to follow and simple to understand. I like that
this can be viewed by anyone from any web browser. I also like the ability to
share the video publically or with a certain group. I could picture myself
using the video to explain a current presentation. Many times students are
absent and miss the lecture portion of a class. A presentation like this could
be made available to help those students by posting it to the class website.
Ahead
The next tool I viewed was found at
www.ahead.com.
This was a site best used for someone who had a touch screen computer.
With the simple touch of your fingers, you can drag objects and adjust them to your
own specifications. You would think this would be great application for iPad
but since Apple and Adobe are not friends, you have one of two choices. 1.) You
can use what ahead calls their “highly degraded html version” or 2.) You can
use one of iPad app browsers like iSwifter or the eCloud, which allows flash
content using a server. The only problem with the second option is the lag
time. I am too impatient to wait. I opted to try the html version.
So here I am, signed up (registered), and ready to begin. I
get a pop-up suggesting I upload a file. I upload a small video of my daughter
when she was an infant. Using my laptop, I uploaded a file. Only problem was when I
chose to preview it, I only had audio and no video. However, I did have a video
thumbnail. I saved my work and logged in using my iPad. On first try, I used my Safari browser. I
thought surely the degraded version is worth a try; however, it would not load.
Any time I chose the link for the html version, it brought me to a window that
that said I need flash player. So then, I used an app called iSwifter. This is
an app that allows me to have flash on my iPad. I was able to log in and
actually see the thumbnail of my video but that’s where it all stopped. I could
not manipulate any objects for re-sizing.
Ahead seems like a great tool to use, but as with a lot of
software educators use, we have to wait until our pcs catch up to the
technology. :o(
Empressr
The third site I visited was
www.empressr.com. This site allows you to
create a presentation with video, photos, audio, music and share it publically
or privately. It took no time at all to
register for a free account. There were several methods where you could either
start with a blank presentation, use ready-made templates or use the expressr express,
which allows you to upload your pictures and get right to work. I chose this
method.
What I liked about this software was the ease of use. You
have a larger viewing plan from which to see all of your work. You have the
typical side border showing your slides, much like PowerPoint. You also have
quick adds such as shapes and charts. I added a few in the picture below. Because
this is the express method, page transitions are decided for you, which takes
the fuss out of things for you. I found it very easy to maneuver and edit.
Bottom Line
In today’s world of technology, it is always aggravating
when you want to assign a student a presentation and they do not have the
software, such as Microsoft Office on their computer. The same could be said for teachers who have
older computers at home. Then there are those kids and teachers who get a laptop for
Christmas only to find out it came with Microsoft Works and not Office. Having
access to online presentation software via the web is a great alternative. You
can send a link, and viola, your presentation is ready to go.
References:
Vcasmo retrieved from:
http://vcasmo.com/video/Autismhangout/6518
on January 6, 2012.
