PowToon is a web-based animation software program that allows users to create animated presentations by manipulating pre-created objects, imported images, provided music and user created voice-overs. Although an account is required to use the program, there are free and paid options, each of which offers different levels of use and resource availability. Once a PowToon creation is complete, it can be shared within PowToon itself or published to YouTube, Vimeo, Wistia or Slideshare (Slideshare is only available with a paid account). I chose PowToon because I was looking for an interesting way to create and deliver a presentation in a purely asynchronous environment. The presentation was to be posted to a discussion board within the LMS. Having already completed number of written submissions for the course, I was also looking for a unique way to synthesize and compile information. PowerPoint was an obvious option, but I wanted something the viewers could experience that was more unique; shake things up a little. Did I mention I had never used PowToon before? I found the tool fairly intuitive. It walked me through a series of steps to begin my presentation and I was able to manage without using the available tutorials. Given the option to use a template or blank presentation, I decided to start with a template. The program guided me through setting up an outline of my scenes before I started creating anything. It served as a storyboarding process before development and encouraged me to check my content to understand how I wanted to present it; good standard practice for development. My process was completely "learn as you go". I’ll admit, unexpected things happened and they forced me to sleuth my way through some elements. Once I figured out how to use the timeline to manage the animations, things moved along quickly. I had control of all elements of creating scenes with the help of the library and settings features. Also, along with templated scenes the program provides pre-built scenes that can be inserted and manipulated as required. I appreciated that the program automatically added a piece of royalty free music from its library to my presentation. Although, I didn’t realize until it was complete that the library existed, or that I could have changed the music. Regardless, I was happy with the result. From beginning to end, including writing and organizing my content, the process totaled four hours. Of that, about 2.5 hours was learning and building with PowToon. The final step was to publish my PowToon to YouTube and then embed it into the LMS for my peers to view. I think it was a hit: Loved, loved your presentation! I'm such a visual person that this was fun to watch and learn from! I enjoyed your presentation immensely This was awesome! Great idea! That was great information, think I need to go on one of those excursions soon
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What's this about?Documenting my exploration of Ed Tech and how it applies to the field of Adult Education. These are my Ang-ventures. ...see more Archives
April 2017
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