If there is one thing I appreciate as a graduate student, it is the opportunity to get creative with projects. Students get consumed with notes, papers and studying for exams, so when they receive a task where they can get their creative juices flowing, it’s not as much work as it is fun. Try switching things up and give your students the opportunity to get creative with a project.
This is an easy way for you as an educator to incorporate new and exciting technology into your lessons, and into the projects assigned to students. There are a variety of websites that offer free ways for educators and students to create videos or slideshows, so put yourself and your students up to the challenge of using these new programs to spice up presentations and assignments.
Prezi is a web-based tool that allows users to create a presentation using a map layout. They are able to zoom in and out of different images and text to show relationships from an interesting point of view. Prezi can be used as an alternative to PowerPoint, however, design options are limited, users cannot insert clipart, and the presentations are not meant to be printed. View a handout of how to use Prezi here.
Photo Story 3 is a free application offered through Windows. Users are able to upload images into slideshows, add text, audio, and even voice narration. Click here to view a project made with Photo Story 3.
With Animoto, users can create movies using still images complete with music and text. It’s easy to use, and free. Signing up for an education account will increase the length of which the movies can be. Click here to view a clip of an example movie.
The ways that you can incorporate these programs into your class are endless; students can create advertisements, public service announcements, creative videos, slideshows, presentations for speeches, or they can just be used as an alternative to a PowerPoint presentation. Plus, anytime you incorporate utilizing new technology, students are instantly more attracted and become more involved. The Instructional Support and Training team offers support for integrating technology, so contact us if you would like to get together and talk more!
