Beyond PowerPoint
Presentation Options That Will Impress (updated: Jan. 2017)
Did you know that PowerPoint is a 25-year-old technology?
It's true. Although it is still a favorite in school and in the business world, there's a lot more out there. And depending on what you need to present, there may be better and more impressive options. It's time to step out of your comfort zone and consider changing it up a bit. Take a look at some of the following and impress your audience. But remember, technology should only be a compliment to WHAT YOU SAY AND HOW YOU SAY IT. A flashy presentation is worthless if you are unprepared and don't know your stuff. So do your research, get organized and practice, practice, practice!
Slide-Type Presentations
Haiku Deck
Haiku Deck is available available as web-based and an app. Make your presentation look like you work in the business.
Prezi
You know how to use Prezi already, but if you know how to use it well you know that you can embed images and videos right from Google. You can also embed old PowerPoint slides!
Google Slides
You use the Drive for everything else, why not your presentations too? Take advantage of the collaborative opportunity.
Slideful
Emaze has beautiful templates ready to go. Just add your own content.
Buncee
Buncee is a top-shelf slide presentation to which you can add images, animations, text and audio. It is both web and app based and a free version is available.
Present.me
AWESOME!
Present without standing in front of the class. Present.me offers a split screen-- your info. on one side and you talking on the other.Thinglink
Make interactive images, maps and catalogs with Thinglink.
The program will take photos and video and allow you to make them "clickable" directing users to any type of content.
VoiceThread
VoiceThread is a great group-project tool that allows each of you to comment on a picture. Our school has its own VoiceThread account. Be sure to use it by accessing through the HS Library page. Your login is your dashboard info.
Charts and Graphs
Google Charts
This is a FREE add-on in Google Docs and Sheets. Once installed it will automatically create a chart from your data. If you need help with any Google add-ons, see Mrs. Smith.
Gliffy Diagrams
Gliffy is another FREE add-on in Google. Use it for mind-maps, flow charts etc. and then insert right into your document.
Lucid chart
Lucidchart is both web-based and is a FREE Google app. Using the web version will allow you to export your visual to just about any format, including Word.
Plot.ly
For the science-minded, Plot.ly makes lab reports easy.
Chartsbin
Why make it when it's already in the Chartsbin? Find a chart demonstrating just about anything. CAUTION: Always check the validity of the source before using the chart in your presentation and be sure to cite properly.
ChartGo
Without the bells and whistles of some of the others, Chartgo is fast and free. Type in your values and click on "create."
Charts, Newsletters, Timelines Etc.
Piktochart
Another infographic maker, Piktochart is easy to use.
Pixton
Pixton is a cartoon maker that is both web and app-based. Use the free educator's trial to make your own animation.
Capzles
Capzles is an onlilne timeline maker to which you can add photos, videos, music and documents. Registration requires an email.
Canva
Become a graphic designer in minutes. Canva is graphic design program that allows you to create beautiful images, logos, title slides. Many free options exist!
Easel.ly
An infographic is a representation of information in graphic form. It provides a quick understanding at a glance is currently the new trend for providing information. Easelly will help you create one with hundreds of templates available. You can then publish them online or download for printing.
Glogster
Glogster has been around for a long time and it's a great way to make an environmentally friendly and interactive poster! It looks great projected onto a TV.
Museum Box
Show-N-Tell in the 21st century. Museum Box allows you to describe an event, person or historical period by placing items in a virtual box.
Smore
Like what you see? This newletter is made with Smore. It's great for flyers. You can print them too! You can make 5 for free and then see Mrs. Smith if you need to make more.
Weebly
Weebly is for the creation of websites. At this time, it has more features than Google Sites. Basic model is free.
Bubbl.us
Bubbl.us is a free site to create graphic organizers and other mind-maps. Good to use to record ideas.in brain-storming sessions. Registration required.
Padlet
Like sticky notes? Padlet is a virtual wall that you can record ideas and then post them for all to see. Create your board, share the code with participants, and you're off for some good brainstorming.
Video Makers
Animoto
Animoto will make beautiful videos with high production value with very little effort from you. Add music and text to tell a story. See Mrs. Smith for an educator's code to get full access for free.
Adobe Spark (Web and App)
This is already loaded onto the library's iPads for you. Make a beautiful video with NARRATION from you.
Voki
Voki will create an cartoon with your voice. You can upload pictures for the background and have your avatar speaking to your audience in a familiar setting. Trial is free, but see Mrs. Smith to use our educator version.
Wideo
Create ANIMATED videos to demo. your point. Wideo produces professional looking videos that can be embedded into other stuff.
PowToon
In their own words, PowToon "brings awesomeness to your presentations." Because it does!
Chatterpix
Need an attention-grabber? Upload a photo of a person and Chatterpix will animate the mouth only so that you can make them say your pre-recorded message.
Storybird
You write the story and use their graphics to make a BEAUTIFUL online book. Storybird can be used to demonstrate a simple concept or idea.
Exposure
Photo narratives with your photos.
TouchCast
TouchCast is a free, iOS app for the iPad and is a little more user-friendly than iMovie.
A Word About Acquiring Images...
If you did not take, draw, create or paint the picture, you need to give attribution to the person or organization who did. Citations for images are just as important as they are for text. Give credit where credit is due! Some images are copyright protected but it can be difficult to know which ones are and which are not. The following links will take you to some sources for copyright free images for your presentations. (They should still be cited!)
Flickr advanced search – be sure you are search under "Creative Commons."
Copyright Friendly Music – a list of resources
Mt. Lebanon HS Library
Email: csmith@mtlsd.net
Website: http://www.mtlsd.org/highschool/library.asp
Location: 155 Cochran Rd, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Phone: 412 344 2029
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MTLHSLibrary?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @leboHSLibrary