PowToon is a free website that allows users to create dynamic animated presentations and movies. This is a great option for students looking for something snazzier than PowerPoint and less frustrating than Prezi. Jennifer Kirchoff, a high school ELA teacher turned me on to PowToon while her class was using it to create book movie trailers. The kids really enjoyed using the site not only because it was easy, but because it was fun and something different!
The interface is very easy to use. However, if you or your students get stuck and need some assistance, the site comes with its' own set of video tutorials. Keep in mind that the free version does limit your presentations to 5 minutes. If you are interested upgrading to the premium account, it will cost you $19.00 a month.
Lets take a closer look at the process. After creating your account and logging in, the first step is to choose a category depending on what type of presentation you want to make . Your options include a Blank Project, Promotional Videos, Slide show, Educational Clip, Infographic Videos and Social Clip. I have only worked with the Blank Presentation which is just plain white slides that you design (no template).
After giving my presentation a title it brought me to the main interface where I could add backgrounds, images, text, animated or still characters, props, music, and additional slides.
Powtoon has it's own gallery of back grounds and images. The image gallery is sourced by Flicker (not one of my favorites), but you can also upload your own images and backgrounds. The site also provides a small selection off free tunes or you can upload your own. The timing of objects entering and leaving a slide can also be adjusted along with the length of time the slide is visible before going on to the next. Your finished product can be shared with many on YouTube, or you can download it to your own computer.
Here is a great PowToon about using PowToon in the classroom. Fast forward through the intro if you want to just jump to the section on meeting the Common Core Standards.
Students can use PowToon to share their ideas or to “prototype” an idea. Students can create videos to show math processes, explanations of complex concepts, review new learning, teach others, explain processes, tell stories, or present research. The possibilities are really endless and students will come up with hundreds of other creative uses.
Check out the links below. Remember, this tool is not just for the kids. It's a great way to create engaging means to present new information that hooks your audience. Allow your students the ability to review the presentation over and over again by sharing online. Remember, you can share on YouTube or download to your own computer so you can add it to your own website, blog, or wiki.
Middle School: Endangered Species
Teacher Created: Vocabulary Lesson
Making Nouns Plural (Spanish)
Elementary Student Book Report
Lastly...
"Teacher Elizabeth Frank: ”I decided to create a PowToon to introduce this Project Based Learning assignment because I was bored with just giving the students a “letter” or “email” from the company as an entry event. I thought a PowToon would really get the point across and get the students excited about the project they were starting. Most of my classes responded with clapping and a “That was awesome!”. To say the least they were really impressed! I have had several groups ask if they could use PowToon for the presentation aspect of this project."
