PowToon

Check out the PowToon video I created to teach fourth graders how to add fractions with like denominators.  How many times have you had to remind students to "keep the bottoms the same?"  For me, it was too many.  I made this with the hope that the visualization could help them remember.

Reflection:

PowToon is a great 2.0 resource that anyone can use to create a presentation.  It definitely has its pros and cons though.  For one, I was a little intimidated to use a web video creator, since I have no experience making videos.  So...this is good news for anyone with a similar lack of experience.  Because, I did it!  So it became fairly easy to figure out.  The main hurdle was figuring out the timing of the slides, and intros and exits of the images and words.  When I started the process, I was using a template, but because the template already had the timing established, it was difficult for me to make it individual for my needs.  So, I began to make a video with a blank template.  This was easier for me to start from scratch.  

I feel like the purpose of a PowToon is different than that of a Prezi or PowerPoint presentation.  With a Prezi or PowerPoint, the presenter can manually control when the images/slides/text appear and have the ability to speak in front of the audience simultaneously.  With PowToon, I feel like it's more of a "Press play and go for it" type of presentation.  It's easier to watch as a complete presentation.  I believe that there's a way to insert your own voice recording so that would be a good way to present your own thoughts, but it would be different than a live presentation.  So, it would depend on what you want and what it expected from the presentation.  

I found that the way in which I used PowToon would be a successful tool in the classroom.  For a short tutorial, or reminder, or fact presenter, PowToon would be sufficient, and an exciting element to add to your normal routine.  I think that adding videos to a lesson is enticing to a child audience. Often, students are more likely to pay attention to a video than to a teacher saying this information without a visual.  For that reason, I created this math reminder video.

AUDIENCE: This tool is equally useful for a teacher, as it is to the student creating a presentation.  However, I think the age range is higher for this tool - probably more middle school/high school usability.
PURPOSE: Create video presentations with iconic graphics and streamlined visuals.
USABILITY:  Takes practice, but eventually it will come together.  Like I said before, age usability is probably higher, depending on the experience of the individual with video editing technology.