Google Docs:Ease of use – Very similar to PowerPoint and its well-known format. This makes it simple for those that already know the program.
Special features – Multiple people can see the same document from different locations and can submit changes as well.
Reliability – Google is a reliable tool used by many all over the world, so I see no reason that this form of Google would be any different.
Learning curve/availability of training materials (e.g. tutorials) – Tutorials are available before use.
Equipment/technical requirements – An internet connection and web browsing tool are the only needed technical requirements.
Potential for collaboration and file sharing – As stated under the special features, collaboration is allowed in this program.
Cost of use – FREE!
Accessibility from home, school, or classroom – The program is web-based and usable anywhere a web connection is available.
Multi-media capabilities (such as animation, sound, video elements) – Video elements are able to be included in the program. However the one drawback that I see of this program is it does not allow animations, specifically between slides during the presentation.
Engagement/motivational factors – The program is very basic in its visual appeal. There are not engagement/motivational factors to this program.
Museum Box:Ease of use – Easy to use with a lot of options.
Special features – The program allows you to create images on the sides of boxes, creating a presentation from those boxes.
Reliability – The site seems pretty reliable, except for down time for scheduled maintenance.
Learning curve/availability of training materials (e.g. tutorials) – The site provides an introduction video, links to others projects for inspiration, and a help button for all of
the tools.
the tools.
Equipment/technical requirements – An internet connection and web browsing tool are the only needed technical requirements.
Potential for collaboration and file sharing – The file is sharable on the site. However, there is no collaboration available.
Cost of use – FREE!
Accessibility from home, school, or classroom - The program is web-based and usable anywhere a web connection is available.
Multi-media capabilities (such as animation, sound, video elements) – Videos, links, and image capabilities are available. However, animations are not.
Engagement/motivational factors – It is really cool to see the boxes sides, and see the animations as they flip from one to another. The engagement is great with this program.
After having taken a close look at these two programs, I probably would not use either one for this project. Though they allow you to create slides, neither seems to have very engaging options for actually doing a presentation. This includes no options for animations or slide transformations. I am still interested in checking out the Prezi presentation software, but if it falls between either of these and PowerPoint, I would choose to use PowerPoint.
I agree with you about still leaning toward Powerpoint. I tried to upload presentations in slide 280, so that i can experience the Web 2.0 tools, but it would not take files, maybe they were too big. I just cannot take a chance. When I tried Prezi, (and have continues for the last few days) I still cannot get it to run as smoothly as Powerpoint. Importing pictures and the download time is not as easy as it should be. However, Museum Box sounds interesting. I wanted to create a presentation that will have a "wow" factor, but Web 2.0 tools are just not reliable enoguh at this point.
ReplyDeleteI also looked at Google Docs and thought it was pretty user-friendly but, like you said, pretty basic. Do you know if you can save a Google Doc and email it to people?
ReplyDeleteI had not heard of the Museum Box and it sounds like something I would like to explore further for use in my classroom. It is different enough from what they typically encounter in the computer lab that it would be engaging for them to do some type of project with this.
I would have to say that after looking at all of these various Web 2.0 tools, I am excited about the possibilities but at this point I am also a die-hard PowerPoint user because of its ease of use, variety of features, and of course familiarity. To put together a course project on another presentation tool would be very time-consuming, and with a full-time job and a family, I don't always have the time to fully explore other options.