I finally had time to dig into an online tool called Prezi (www.prezi.com) and found it a refreshing and compelling approach to the presentation software idea. The user interface is easy to learn and it took me about 30 minutes to figure out the majority of the tools to create a presentation.

The main control tool that allows you to write, format, create frames and paths, and view the show is shown below.  It appears in the top left hand corner.

Understanding the workflow:

1. Imagine a large piece of white butcher paper.  You can type and add pictures all over it.  Think of a brainstorming session where you put all your ideas down in any order.  You don’t have to know the overall picture from the start, just get down ideas and visuals.

Here’s a sample below:

2.  Click on the white butcher paper and add text, images, grouping main ideas and topics.

3.  Click on an item and you can move, enlarge, or rotate the object to your requirements (using tool below)

4.  Add frames around blocks of content (text, images).

5. Finally, create a path from first item to next and so on.  This creates the “slide order” or the path which the presentation will take.

Key concepts you will need to understand: frames and paths.  Frames group content together into one location.  Paths are used to connect pieces of content or frames of content.

Here’s my first Prezi presentation for an in-service I conducted.

If you are a teacher who emphasizes vocabulary building, Quizlet is the best of the flash card generators available online.  I love how you upload a list of vocabulary words and select from a number of definitions (dictionary and user-generated) best for your students’ level.  Students can also create their own vocabulary lists and study for their own tests.

It’s especially user-friendly and if you buy the Pro account, you can even add images to your vocabulary words.  It is the one flashcard building web app that accomplishes everything I’m looking for and more.

Using Google Documents Guide

Google Documents Screencasts

All of them have some nice features, but Quizlet is one place where all my desired features came together, making it the flashcard creator to use with your students.  I must confess that some of the primary reasons why I like Quizlet are: a) the interface is clean and simple (reminds me of Facebook or a Google site), b) you can generate printable tests and flashcards c) you can import from a data file, and d) you can select from dictionary definitions or user-generated definitions.  I was able to create a flashcard set in no time and share it with ease.  It has so many advanced features like sharing, embedding, and groups.  You also have a number of ways for reviewing online through basic drill and kill to a variety of games (some are really needing some work though).  Everything you would want for building your students vocabulary is here.

The celebrities and the companies have finally taken notice and everyone is desparate to create a Twitter account or Facebook page.  I’ve been following both services for the last year, and on the most part, these services were ignored and garnered mild interest.

Now, that Oprah and Ashton Kutchter and a number of marketing campaigns have jumped on board, I hear everyone is joining and getting involved.  It’s no longer enough to have a web page or a blog.  It’s now all about Twitter and Facebook.

I think the reason for this explosion is the ease of getting involved in these services and mob mentality.  It’s a no brainer to create a Twitter account and post updates.  It’s a no brainer to sign up for Facebook and change your status and post things on your wall.  Again, the appeal of these services is the ease of use and the simplicity of creating posts and sharing information.  You do not need the technical skills or writing abilities necessary for creating a web page or a blog.  All you need is the ability to write simple sentences and send a simple text message of 140 characters.  The reason for these services exploding is they appeal to the lowest common denominator.

Sure, I see the advantages of both services.  Twitter allows you to follow topics and interests of your choosing and create a dialogue with people with common interests.  Facebook allows you to keep in contact with family and friends and be in the know of what’s happening on an ongoing basis without having to pick up the phone and make a call.  But let’s not blow the benefits of these services out of proportion.  Everyone should not feel compelled to be on every service available.  Choose wisely.  It’s like creating a blog and never writing.  Are you just joining for the sake of it?