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.

Like your ELMO but with an iPad (elementary classroom teachers)

I used AirServer to create the infinity mirror effect. We were in a meeting today and Dominic told us about this fantastic idea. As we discussed all things technology he explained one method of using the iPad as a portable ELMO. It was too cool not to share. Step 1 Make sure you have AirServer running on your laptop. 1. Click the Windows key on your keyboard or click the icon in the lower left of your screen. 2. Just start typing AirServer. 3. Click AirServer. Don't see it? Contact technology or your building tech person. Step 2 Connect your teacher iPad to your laptop. 1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Start by swiping in the bezel, the black plastic part surrounding the screen. 2. Click AirPlay Mirroring. 3. Click your name. Step 3 Open the camera app and instant portable ELMO! Anything you see in the camera's len will be broadcast to the big screen. I just used this method to take a picture of my notebook as a demonstration of how co

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 .

Learning in the Lou

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