If I see another powerpoint, slides or keynote I will cry.

We have used PowerPoint, Slides and Keynote for years. Most every presentation looks the same. Many kids read the slides and the slides are just full of words.

While this was OK years ago, it isn't anymore.

If we look at how the world is processing information, it is hyper visual. We need kids to be creating hyper visual presentations that are informative and beautiful to look at.

Take a look at the Designing with Pods article.

I see four big ideas that are chunked into easily understood ideas. The images back up the text.

The article links to some pods. This is another example of how information could be presented.

These two articles are examples of how information could be presented in a new, modern and engaging way.

Canva

One of the tools people are using to present information is Canva. I am sure we see Canva as a way to create posters but have you seen their presentation tool? This page offers a number of great presentation tips, just keep reading all the way to the bottom.

I opened the presentation section and selected one of the templates. While this looks powerpointish, what is different is Canva created a very fresh layout for me to edit.

I started to tinker a little and found a few things.

1. Before you open this tool you need to have a plan.

2. Don't start editing until you have a rough sketch of what you want to say.

3. Choice is necessary and overwhelming. It might be a good idea to start small, just two slides, before allowing kids to create.

The idea of Just Two Slides is a technique to help smallerize the presentations and help them tighten their message.

The theory is the kids have just two slides, no more, to tell their story. Some have gone as far as only two words, no more, can appear on the slides. This helps reduce the clutter and increase the story telling.

For more information, check out these youtube videos on how to create presentations with Canva.

Jamboard

Jamboard for a presentation?

It is a fresh idea to present ideas to an audience with. What stands out is you can use text, images and drawings to help tell your story.

Jamboard is a Google tool and can be found in Drive or the waffle.

Here are a few videos from this year about Jamboard.

Just In Case...

If these don't work and you use PowerPoint or Slides, use a different presentation technique called PechaKucha.It will totally change how kids present, very refreshing. You can also download some new types of presentations to help keep things fresh.

Who is emailing me? The Blue Man Group??? (Add an image to your Google account.)

WHY It is always nice to put a face with a name. Sometimes we need a tiny little reminder of what someone looks like because we don't see them very often. Follow these steps to add/change the image associated with your Google account. HOW Open your email. Click your image. It might just be a blue circle if you have not added something already. Click Change . Find an image you like. Your amazing new image will appear. From now on everyone can put a name to a face!

Annotate PDF? How might I do that?

So I have a PDF and I need to edit it. Here is one method that works pretty well for me. Open Word. Click File . 1. Click Open . 2. Click Browse . 3. Find the PDF you want to annotate. 4. Click Open . Click OK when you see this box. Bam! Your PDF now opens in Word. Note: you maybe have to click Enable Editing at the top of the screen. Finished editing and want to turn it back into a PDF? Click File . 1. Click Save As . 2. Click This PC . 3. Pick a location. I usually save things to my desktop. 4. Click Save as type - and choose PDF. 5. Click Save .

Zoom - How to connect to a Zoom meeting.

This post was created to help anyone who is attempting to connect to a Zoom meeting understand how the process works. Click here for a video tutorial on how to get started with Zoom Continue reading for details on how to connect on an iPad/iOS device, Android phone/tablet, Chromebook and a laptop. While this won't solve every issue, it should take care of getting you quickly connected. The post will be longer than normal, just scroll down to the device you are wanting to connect. Most of these steps only need to be done the first time. Joining the second meeting will be much easier, pretty much just click and join. Please note - I made this post super fast. There are bound to be small errors. iPad/iOS We are using an iPad for this demo. I imagine connecting an iPhone will be nearly the same. Start by downloading the Zoom app from the app store. This is the very first thing you need to do if you don't have the app first the process may be more confusing. You...

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