So I chose this category today since I was short on time and have already used Prezi many times. But I did investigate a couple of the other online presentation tools suggested here. SlideRocket is described as PowerPoint on steroids, and I looked at a couple of the presentations there, which did look pretty much like gussied up Power Points. I also checked out the Design Guide for Rockstars, which suggested that one could make a presentation that would look much more creative and less PowerPoint-esque, but also that it might take some time and talent to do so.
The other tool I looked at here was Glogster, which sounded intriguing as a potential venue for student presentations. The video seemed geared at K-12 teachers, however, which was less interesting to me. The problem I found with Glogster was that its site was confusing. I went to the Glogpedia at the EDU Glogster site in order to look at some examples, but found there that one had to have a paid license to view any of them. I could not find a way to see an example of a Glogster. On the regular Glogster site I could find examples, however, but they were rather different. Bottom line is, the concept of a digital poster is cool, but I would like to find more out about this before jumping in and opening an account, and this seems difficult from the website. Therefore, I probably will not pursue this one.
This brings me to Prezi, which I have been using for about a year and a half now. I like Prezi a lot, as I find it more dynamic than PowerPoint, and I have been converting my course PowerPoints to Prezis. I will admit that I am not the most adventurous or creative of Prezi users; my creativity tends to vary in direct proportion to the time I have to spend on the project. But I love how easily one can integrate videos, music, and images, and how easy it is to convert PowerPoints. I find Prezi frustrating at times; it changes quite frequently, which can be confusing. Just when you figure it out, they change it. But I will say that most of the changes have been for the better, and have made it easier to use. I have even given four workshops introducing Prezi on my campus. I have also shown my students how to use it in a couple of classes, and some students have used it to create class presentations. So this is definitely an online presentation tool that I recommend enthusiastically. There is a bit of a learning curve; it takes some time and effort to learn it well, as with most of these Web 2.0 tools. I consider myself to be still in the learning mode, but am considering actually paying for the upgraded license so I can have the desktop version. Here is a link to a Prezi I created last semester for my course, Industrial America 1890-1920: 'Women and Progressive Reform".
I think the TOEP link takes you to the commercial version. Try http://edu.glogster.com. Yes, it was initially developed for high school students but here are some higher ed examples: http://s2e7jhs.edu.glogster.com/parabol-az/, http://gyemi.edu.glogster.com/ancient-greek-architecture/, http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/glogster/opening.htm. Glogster also has a gallery you can explore by discipline, http://edu.glogster.com/glogpedia/. Yes they are "basic" but the idea is that it can replace a student's PowerPoint presentation or even your own for simple concepts that you would like to have a visual representation for.
ReplyDeleteCindi (TOEP team member-UB)
Actually, I did go to the EDU Glogster, though did not see any higher ed ones. And I was trying the EDU Glogpedia, which is the one that kept saying I needed a paid license to view (or reuse?) them. So I was actually unable to even view them. This is why I found Glogster confusing.
ReplyDeleteEllen
Hi, Ellen:
ReplyDeleteWow...great questions! A few comments:
1. Yes, Glogster is super. They have changed their pricing structure in the past year or so. In the past, I have bought in as a teacher, and then assigned accounts to my undergrads. I have not done that recently, since each student can get his/her own free account. Also, as with many social media tools, it is best to try to search the community from within it (so start a free account, and you will be able to see more).
2. It is a decision of the user whether a Glog is private or public...this is a good thing, and may be some of what you are up against.
3. I have used Glogster to have my preservice teachers define vocabulary terms in ed tech, as an example. Some have also used it to present key concepts about digital citizenship. I used it myself when I was running for an office...I sent folks to a Glog, that linked to short pieces about me.
4. Following are two core resources:
a. This is from one of my very favorite resources, Classrom 2.0 Live: http://live.classroom20.com/1/post/2009/07/glogster-edu-special-guest-jim-dachos.html (yes, there will largely be K-12 examples in it, but it totally talks through what Glogster can do).
b. This is a nice overview, with links to some examples and rationale: http://www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/teaching-with-glogster-using-30790.html
5. Here are some quick sites I have scarfed up, with examples of higher ed student work:
http://integrating.wikispaces.com/Glogster (skim to the bottom of the page)
http://gwclearningtechnology.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-favorite-technology-learning-tool.html (use in higher ed book club)
http://latchawdm.edu.glogster.com/universal-design-for-learning/ (nice example of using Glogster to "decode" a complex topic...in this case, Universal Design for Learning)
6. Bottom line...if you are thinking of using any other web-based publishing tool, Glogster could be one of your choices. The poster stays published at Glogster, and generates a unique URL. It is interactive and "holds" multiple forms of media.
7. Finally, I would encourage you to use your favorite browser to search for Glogster, using key terms. And I would not rule out using high school examples. You know that we in higher ed tend to be slower adopters than the K-12 faculty world!
I look forward to hearing about your further investigations, and thanks for your right-on questions!
Kg (Kathleen Gradel, SUNY Fredonia)
PS...We are so glad you are here in TOEP!