10 FREE Presentation Tools for Online Education (Well, mostly free...)

10 FREE Presentation Tools for Online Educators

Throughout the ILT program at the University of Colorado Denver, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of free authoring tools online.  This is a list of 10 presentation tools that educators, students, and trainers can use to create fun and engaging presentation materials. I have personally used all of these tools and feel that I can provide a candid review. Check them out!

1. Stupeflix

Stupeflix is free video online video software that allows users to create video presentations.  The software allows you to add music, images, map locations, and text to slides. The free version has 16 templates, but if users would like more templates and more functionality they have to purchase the PRO version.

2. WeVideo

WeVideo is free online video software that allows you to add video, photos, and audio, but only allows a few menu options unless the user purchases the Premium or Pro version. The user can only upload a 7 minute video without purchasing the upgrades.

3. Emaze
Emaze allows users to choose a template and create a slideshow. The biggest issue I found with using Emaze is that it has a lot of audio issues and it does not have a timeline feature for audio so you cannot cue music at specific stopping points.  This software is best for just a visual presentation.

4. PowToon
PowToon is online software that allows users to create animated videos and presentations.  It also has a premium version for users that gives users more templates, images, and audio to choose from. Pow Toon is one of the best free presentation software tools on the market, in my opinion.  It really grabs the viewers’ attention with lively graphics and images.


5. SlideShare

SlideShare is online software that allows you to either upload PowerPoint presentations or choose slide templates from a library or both.  Users can add audio, but it is quite limited in its overall functionality.  SlideShare is easily shareable on social media and all over the web.

6. Prezi

Prezi is one of the neatest presentation tools out there.  The presentations jump off the page and there are no “slides,” it feels more like watching a video. I have had problems with audio and videos on the presentation and having audio loop through the presentation. If you are going to be doing all the talking, this will be a great tool.


7. SlideRocket

SlideRocket allows you to import PowerPoints or Google Presentations and help bring those slides to life. Users of SlideRocket basically have to purchase the premium version in order to make anything of value. I think SlideRocket is more for businesses than it is for education.

8. BrainShark

Brainshark is a presentation software program aimed at big businesses and companies.  It makes presentations more engaging and promise companies more sales productivity. It only allows for a short free demo before users must purchase a plan. Brainshark will actually create the presentations for you and you buy them from consultants.

9. Voicethread

VoiceThread is a cloud application that requires no software installation.  Users can comment on slides via webcam, text, phone, or audio upload. It is easily integrated with LMS programs. VoiceThread seems to be more for creating webinars or conferences.

10. Knovio

Knovio allows users to upload PowerPoint presentations and create presentations with audio. It allows users to record video side-by-side with slide presentation. It is limited in functionality, but it does help bring boring PowerPoint slides to life.

UCDenver Graduation for ILT Students (10 Things you NEED to know)

UCDenver Graduation for ILT Students

(10 Things you NEED to know)

I will be graduating this December and let me tell you, it has been a fantastic journey in the Information & Learning Technologies MA program. Having said that, I made a few mistakes when it comes to graduation that luckily, (after some begging and pleading) I am still able to continue with graduation.  Don’t make the same mistakes I did!

Here are 10 simple steps that will help you make all the right steps toward graduation.

1.    Make sure you stay in touch with both your academic adviser and your program adviser throughout the program and especially during the term you wish to graduate

2.    Check your UCDENVER email OFTEN- important graduation items arrive in your UCDenver email, do NOT ignore them

3.    Follow the ILT graduation guidelines on the ILT Resources Google Doc

4.    Turn in your portfolio on time

5.    Make sure to complete the graduation form AND the Culminating Experience forms by the required deadline

6.    Complete the IDI survey and the exit survey by the required deadline—links to these surveys will come in your campus email

7.    If you wish to attend the commencement: Sign up before the deadline and order your cap and gown (regalia)

8.    Bookmark these 3 links—these links will be your bible throughout the ILT program: ILT RESOURCES ILT GRADUATION and ILT PORTFOLIO

9.    Ask for help if you need it! The SEHD department is there for you and they understand the stresses that go along with final semester and graduation. Here is a link to the SEHD Website

10.  Perhaps the most important tip…bask in all your glory because you earned it!

If you have any tips, please leave a comment below. 

Pinterest & Online Learning

In this blog entry I wanted to highlight 10 cool online learning things about Pinterest that the average user may not know.  From the outside, it seems like Pinterest is just a place for wedding ideas, recipes, and fashion, but when you dig a little deeper it is so much more!  Whether you are looking for information on about online learning OR you want to share it with a future classroom, Pinterest has you covered.  Below are some of my favorites...

10 Online Learning Tips/Ideas from Pinterest:

1. You can find online learning study tips: Study Tips Pin

2. Here is a pin of Online Research Methods

3. This is an amazing EdTech Cheat Sheet so you can be down with online lingo like MOOCS, e-learning, e-books, etc. 

4. Here you can learn all things Google Drive with this pin

5. A pin on Best Practices for Creating an Online Course

6. A pin on Tools to Create Online Assessments this one has come in VERY handy for me when making online quizzes and assessments

7. Tips for Motivating Online Learners pin

8. How to Use Social Media in Classroom for anyone looking to incorporate social media into the digital classroom

9. Tips on Blended Learning in the classroom

10. FREE Online Learning Courses for anyone interested in taking a free course online or designing their own

A basic keyword search can find you some amazing resources for online learning, try it for yourself! www.pinterest.com Be careful though, it can be quite addictive...coming from the girl with over 2000+ pins and counting! 

What are your favorite things to pin?  What do you use Pinterest for the most?

Top 10 Tips for a GREAT Online Discussion!

Top 10 Tips for a GREAT Online Discussion...who wants to be good when you can be GREAT?! Tips for new online students from the mind of an experienced student...

1. Post early

If you wait until the last day of the discussion, you will only be conversing with yourself. Share your ideas while they are fresh on your mind.

2. Research further

Go beyond the given material and add your own research findings, a nice Google search can help drum up some solid resources.

3. Share personal experiences

You do not need to give every intimate detail of a personal experience, share what you feel comfortable contributing. People connect more with a posting when they can relate to it.

4. Be brief

Avoid the "scroll of death," if you don't even want to read what you typed, no one else will!  Be brief, but remain on topic.

5. Be respectful

Use appropriate language and respect everyone's diverse viewpoint. Remember the Golden Rule!

6. Cite your sources

Tell us where you found it so we can find the information for future reference.

7. Post often

Remember, it is not a conversation if only one person is talking!

8. Avoid the "I Agree" reply

I agree is not great feedback, explain further and tell them WHY it is that you agree.

9. Stay on track

It is very easy to leave the track and start talking about what you are for dinner, but try add relevant personal experiences.

10.  Focus on quality

Make your post thought-provoking and engaging as much as possible. Make people want to reply!

Here is a GREAT video I found on YouTube about Discussion Board Etiquette, Check it out:  

My Personal Learning Network

Here are some great groups/organizations/blogs that I follow as part of my Personal Learning Network.  As a lifelong learner, I have found that by growing my PLN, I gain knowledge from numerous relevant platforms that help me become more successful in the eLearning/Instructional Design industries.

Linkedin Groups: 

• TechinEDU

This group boasts active discussions on elearning, relevant articles, and news about tech in education.

• DLDT

Distance Learning and Digital Technologies group on Linkedin provides member with current news, scholarly articles, and more as it relates to distance learning in the United States.

• Mobile Learning into the Future

Mobile learning into the Future is a group that is mostly made u of member discussions, members pose questions and other members help problem solve and come up with solutions to mobile problems and ideas.

• ASTD Rocky Mountain Chapter

ASTD requires you to pay a membership fee, but this organization does a lot of F2F networking events and training sessions in and around Denver.  HUGE emphasis on building professional connections.

• Distance Education Roundtable

Distance Education Roundtable truly is a roundtable of members helping to solve problems and discuss ideas about distance education.

Pinterest Boards:

• Ed Tech Resources

The Ed Tech Resources board that I follow is made by ISTE and has literally thousands of pins of ideas for in the classroom technology and higher ed.

• EdTech

Ed Tech is a board that I follow by Donna Baumbach and is mostly made up of FREE tools, ideas, and content that teachers can get their hands on online and offline.

• ACS Instructional Designer

This board covers things topics like: LMS, instructional design, k12, mLearning, Blackboard, etc. VERY helpful to an online instructor or instructional designer

• ISTE Mobile Learning Network

This ISTE board provides innovative tools, solutions, and ideas for anyone interested in advocating for mobile learning.

• Distance Learning

This Distance Learning board is made by a University in the UK and offers a more worldly, broader approach to some distance learning ideas through numerous boards and pins.

Google + Communities:  

• E-Learning Insight

This Google community literally shares insights about new innovations in the e-learning industry. It also provides numerous resources to members.

• Online Course Design & Instruction

This community is meant to be a foundation for designers and instructors to collaborate and share resources.

• eLearning and Digital Cultures MOOC

This community is mainly for educators and anyone who is interested in e-learning.  This is an ongoing MOOC for students who wish to learn more about digital cultures.

• Instructional Design & eLearning Professionals

This a great community for instructional designers to connect with other industry professionals and share ideas.

• Higher Education & Technology

This community discusses changes and trends in higher education when it comes to technology.

Twitter:

• ISTE Connects

ISTE Connects tweets out live updates about new technologies, live talks, and resources.

• U.S. News Education

U.S. News Education provides followers with up-to-date news and information about the happenings surrounding education in the United States.

• Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal helps keep followers up to date with national news and industry happenings across the US.

• CU Denver Career Center

If you are looking for a job, CU Denver tweets out job fair announcements and community listings for followers.

• NASA Technology

NASA Technology informs followers about the latest missions and study findings of various projects.

Blogs:

• The Innovative Educator

A personal perspective by Lisa Nielsen on all of the changes in education and technology and her ideas and input on a variety of educational topics.

• Web20Classroom

VERY active blog by Steven Anderson about technology in education and showcases all of the new tech tools and videos.

• FreeTech4Teachers

This blog offers free technology resources for teachers, grant information, and contests.

• The eLearning Coach

This blog helps you design podcasts, learn how to use new authoring tools, and touches on current issues with elearning.

• Creative Design of Learning Experiences

This blog leans more toward the creative and design side of learning experiences.  You can view project ideas and get tips on how to become more creative.

Top 10 Tips to Succeed in Online Courses

WELCOME!

If you are new to online learning, you have come to the right place!! This blog is here to HELP you with your issues...okay, not all your issues...but any online course issues that you might be encountering as a newbie.  I was once a newbie too and I understand all that you are going through.  As a former online student, here are some of the things I learned along the way!

Our first topic is (drum roll please)...

TOP 10 TIPS TO SUCCEED IN ONLINE COURSES! (According to ME)

1. Keep a calendar or schedule of deadlines/due dates

-Life can get busy, but if you know ahead of time what you are up against you can plan accordingly.

2. Participate in group work/discussions early and often

-It's hard to have a discussion on Sunday night just before the due date when everyone has already participated. Stay on top of it and post early and often to remain involved.

3. Remember that procrastination is not your friend in online course work

-There is no online fairy god mother to make sure you do your assignments on time. If you run into problems you will need time to fix them before the assignment due date. Don't put it off!

4. Stay organized

- Save a copy of the course syllabus and schedule so you have a quick reference to the expectations and requirements in the course whenever you need it.

5. Be Professional

- Your weekend plans might be the absolute coolest, but make sure you are presenting yourself in a professional way online. 

6. Be Open-minded

- Online learning is making huge changes and technology is changing every day.  Keep an open-mind to all of the changes and embrace those changes as you are learning.

7.  Ask for help EARLY

- Don't wait until the due date of an assignment to ask for help.  Your professor is there to help you if you need it. All you have to do is ask!

8.  Be Active

- Try to check on your online course every day!  The more time you spend in an online course the more successful you will be in the end.  Practice!

9.  Make sure your software/internet/drivers are up-to-date

-Regularly check your computer/device for updates so your equipment is working at its best.

10. Relax

- You are totally going to rock your online course! Take a deep breath and know that you will succeed if you put your mind to it.

Do you have any online learning success tips for newcomers?  Please share them!

Below is a video of my personal journey with online courses...Check it out!