Power point again

[zeca]

Hi,
I know I lot has been posted about Powerpoint & Activstudio in terms of features. I've read some threads in which people claim Activstudio can do much more than simply Powerpoint presentations, I do believe it can.
My problem is I have been a user for about a year, teaching EFL classes nearly all day long and I haven't had time to look up all threads regarding this issue. The thing is, the site address listed below can give you a clear idea of what I consider superb in an english teaching environment but I do not know if Activstudio can do the same thing. Maybe I''m supposed to do the Advanced Tutorial to get to those techniques.
Thanks
zeca


http://ww2.college-em.qc.ca/prof/epritchard/agpyesno.htm

[LisaD]

Have you tried looking at the English as a Second Language theme on Planet. (I assume this is the same as EFL?)

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/server.php?show=nav.15805

It has pre-made flipchart lessons, great interactive websites to use in your Activclassroom and related resource packs to download for ESL teachers. Do check out the "article" which describes some specific ideas on how you can create interesting lessons (not presentations!) in Activstudio.

Would love to hear what you think!

Lisa

[DavidFhu]

Hi, Zeca.

I guess you have pick up the idea from powerpoint to create the website. While reading the source code of the web site, it could see the programmer had put in a fair bit of effort to achieve that.

In order to achieve that in Activstudio, or Activprimary require years of experience in the software and other programmer ability. That is what Promethean Resource Partner are working on.

Of course, it will be less customizable on top of that.

[davidlloyd]

The difference between Powerpoint and Activstudio simply put is:

Powerpoint is presentation software. The teacher operates the computer while students sit passively trying to take it in. It involves only memory but does not involve thinking skills at any level.

Activstudio is designed to create interactive teaching resources which will involve students in discussion, physical activity etc and will generally stimulate thinking skills.

If you want some example of this, look on Planet for flipcharts submitted by the British council. They use our boards for teaching English in every part of the world.

[zeca]

Thanks David!
Probably you haven´t read my last thread. (in power point again II)
Today I understand the difference between the two systems. I know Activsoftware really does much more than simple presentations. What I´ve been claiming, and some of you insist in not admitting, is that power point CAN be one more tool to be used in a class environment.
I disagree when you say a student can´t have any kind of gain ( or whichever you´ve put it) when faced with a presentation in PPT.
You have probably heard of the multiple intelligences theory. Theory which in the classroom proves itself right everyday when a student says " AHHHH!, now I got it" , almost always after being faced with different stimulus.
I repeat: You´ll always have someone who will not be willing to come to the board. For this one, a presentation with colors, objects popping up the screen, moving from left to right or whatever draws their attention, can make a difference.
I intend, more and more, to get practised with the Activsoftware, I want the most out of my board.
But I will also use everything which can fascinate students, whatever name it might have.
zeca

[markrobinson]

You´ll always have someone who will not be willing to come to the board. For this one, a presentation with colors, objects popping up the screen, moving from left to right or whatever draws their attention, can make a difference.

I intend, more and more, to get practised with the Activsoftware, I want the most out of my board.
But I will also use everything which can fascinate students, whatever name it might have.
zeca

Yes. You certainly need the biggest bag of tricks - but I would say you also need to "rate your tricks" and understand how and where they work.

Animation is a great tool if it reinforces a learning point and would score highly in that circumstance - but if it is used to simply wake up a bored child or entertain them - then it scores less - but even that has a useful purpose. The danger comes if that begins to dominate.

The research proven 'best way' to get to improved learning gains is to engage students mentally or physically with the content and for them to clearly understand the learning goals.

Too often "getting attention through media" is mixed up with "getting student engagement". The student has to "get the idea" at a personal and perhaps emotional level. They have to care about the topic - and that is much more to do with the teaching input.

When we use media - and we want it to be "compelling" - we have to choose if it is to gain attention - and get the students into a focussed state - or is it to create, develop, share and teach new ideas. Powerpoint may help in the first case - but struggles in the latter.

Visual tricks can "gain attention", but I am not sure if it as deep as actually becoming directly involved with the content either by manipulating it or actually "creating it".

Some kids certainly do not want to stand in front of their peers - so the tool Promethean produces for that exact circumstance is the Learner Response devices like Expression and Activote.

Younger children genreally really enjoy coming up and will encourage and support each other - but as they get older, or if you need much more detailed data about understanding to progress the lesson, then the integrated response system is designed to enable continuous student engagement - and not just through tests - but through contributions of ideas though words and numbers than can be beamed to the board.

One you have a stream of authentic "instructional feedback" coming back at the teacher from each and every child - the fundamental weakness of Powerpoint is revealed... Powerpoint reliance can lead to a "lesson on rails" mentality - with no clear way to branch off and respond continually to feedback to keep the class with you and working at an optimal pace and learning level.

If you have "got it wrong" in your Powerpoint presentation or simply misjusged the enthusiasm of some of the students - then such remediation opportunities are limited.

[davidlloyd]

I was brought up on Macs so we didn't have any Office products. I used to be a schools advisor for ICT. Part of my job was to observe teachers. I found too many of them using powerpoint and all it's flashiness in the belief they were engaging pupils. Most of the time the pupils were bored stiff and the teachers weren't teaching. They may as well have printed out the material and given to the pupils to read for homework. That's why I'm wary of Powerpoint.

But if it's used properly and in moderation it can be a good tool. But I emphasise the word 'properly'.

[zeca]

You were brought up on Macs. I was brought up on "nothing" before my first contact with this fantastic Activsoftware. I mean I have always (as a teacher) been concerned about bringing visuals into the classroom.
I remember a few days after I set up my board (last Aug/2007), I was faced with this fascinating ppt presentation on the Alphabet, the letters popping up the screen. I was really amazed. Right after that, some threads made me believe ppt was some kind of " evil entity".. something that should be banned at all costs.I was puzzled at first, then I became more used to the software and things became more clear in terms of the resources available.
I agree (now) with your last thread and Mark´s too.
But what I really would like to know, and none of you have answered this question yet, is:
Can I, through the Activstudio software, perform some of the things one manages to do with powerpoint?
I have already managed to make a sentence pop up the screen using the " actions". But, can´t I have things popping up from different parts of the board, to the center, for example?
Thanks again
zeca

[DavidFhu]

Hi, Mark Robinson.

Well said. Learn a fair bit from your message.

[davidlloyd]

Hi Zeca

Mentioning Powerpoint to me must obviously do something like showing a red rag to a bull and clouds our vision:D

Yes you can move objects from one part of the page to another. The actions you want are position actions. If you look at the list in the Object Edit menu there are two types.

Anything that is 'Position top left' (or bottom or centre) will move the object to its final position in one go. For this the parameters are the coordinates of the part of the object at its final place. Use design mode to find out what the coordinates are.

'Position Incrementally' will move an object repeatedly a certain distance each step. That distance is measure in pixels - I cell of the 1 x1 graph is the Grids library is 40 pixels. Parameter one is the x direction and parameter 2 is the y direction, bearing in mind on a computer screen the origin is at the top left.

Stretch actions work in a similar way. Stretch stretches the object once, stretch incrementally will stretch many times

Here are a couple of examples.

.

[zeca]

Thanks so much, David!
If only I could see the three flips you´ve sent me!
They won´t open at all.
Should I have version 2 installed in my computer to see those?
A weird simble appears, one I´d never seen when opening previous flips
My laptop doesn´t have version 2 installed. My desktop has the viewer in it but it won´t open either.
Thanks zeca

[markrobinson]

"Powerpoint is where great ideas go to die!"...

"Presentation failure is a content failure NOT a decoration failure"

This is a really useful podcast that has a nice discussion about Powerpoint in Classrooms - "DEATH BY POWERPOINT" including some good guidance on using it well....

Download Podcast (will open iTunes if installed) (http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/ucar.edu.1453267326.01453267328.1454014918?i=14566 93799)

[davidlloyd]

Hi Zeca

Sorry I was rushing around so I din't explain properly. They are flipchart pages. Save them into the My Page Library and then drag them from the Library into an empty flipchart.

[zeca]

Hi, David,

I've managed to open the flip pages. Nice job!
About the last threads: You've lectured me a lot: laughs....
Now I got a deeper understanding of what you (all) mean.....
Just tell some of your folks everything can be of some help...including presentations,
as long as you are able to use the "right amount"...
I'll try to get how you built the pages and I'll reach you when (if) I get stuck, right?
Have a great weekend!
zeca

[jamoore]

Hi David,

I loved the flipchart pages that you have shared in this thread on how to use some object position actions. [clap]
I have some actions that I confidently use (over and over) and have started to explore other actions that are available.

Do you have any more flipchart pages you can share showing off how actions can be used?

Jacki

[zeca]

Hi Jacki,
Why don´t you share some of your ideas with us?
Post them!
zeca

[davidlloyd]

I have a whole flipchart I use with resellers which covers different aspects including a comprehensive section on actions but it's huge and impossible to load up here. If you can let me know which actions you're interested in, I'll upload the pages.

Jacki: were you part of the team in NSW we trained in May this year?

[DavidFhu]

David,

I am impressed.

Hi Zeca

Mentioning Powerpoint to me must obviously do something like showing a red rag to a bull and clouds our vision:D

Yes you can move objects from one part of the page to another. The actions you want are position actions. If you look at the list in the Object Edit menu there are two types.

Anything that is 'Position top left' (or bottom or centre) will move the object to its final position in one go. For this the parameters are the coordinates of the part of the object at its final place. Use design mode to find out what the coordinates are.

'Position Incrementally' will move an object repeatedly a certain distance each step. That distance is measure in pixels - I cell of the 1 x1 graph is the Grids library is 40 pixels. Parameter one is the x direction and parameter 2 is the y direction, bearing in mind on a computer screen the origin is at the top left.

Stretch actions work in a similar way. Stretch stretches the object once, stretch incrementally will stretch many times

Here are a couple of examples.

.

[zeca]

Hi David,
Now you let me curious about your flip containing the actions sequence...
Isn't there a way to make it available to us?
zeca

[jamoore]

Hi David,

No, I wasn't part of the team you trained this year. I'm sure it was fantastic and certainly wished I was there!

I'm not really sure which actions, I tend to scroll through the action list from time to time and try to use them in flipcharts but sometimes you just need to see it all happening on a page to say to yourself - ah, I see how that works!

I use a lot of file and page actions and a few AS function actions so maybe you can share a new skill with an object action?

Am looking forward to seeing what you have :D

Jacki

[LisaD]

If you haven't downloaded this yet, you may want to try it out.

It is called the Action Objects Resource Pack.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/server.php?show=ConResource.11342

It contains icons with actions already attached and a flipchart that demonstrates many of them.

Lisa

[davidlloyd]

By popular demand here's a few more! They are all flipchart pages so put them in your page library first.

I can't upload the whole flipchart because I can't get it small enough.

[zeca]

Thanks again David!
zeca

[jamoore]

David,

Thanks so much! I just learnt 5 new skills :D
These pages are a wonderful resource.

Jacki

[davidlloyd]

I'm glad you like them Zeca and Jacki. Thank you.

[sdreyer]

The difference between Powerpoint and Activstudio simply put is:

Powerpoint is presentation software. The teacher operates the computer while students sit passively trying to take it in. It involves only memory but does not involve thinking skills at any level.

Activstudio is designed to create interactive teaching resources which will involve students in discussion, physical activity etc and will generally stimulate thinking skills.

I've been "playing" with a free PowerPoint add in from iSpring (http://www.ispringsolutions.com/products/ispring_free.html).

I made a presentation which requires student interaction, converted it to a flash file, and added it as a placeholder in activstudio.

A simple flipchart which demonstrates this technique is attached below.

[davidlloyd]

A useful addition Suzanne. A simailar effect could be achieved with the screen recorder too.

[myrtle]

At the risk of being shot down in flames I do think that PPT has a place in teaching - primary for me. I use them both, I like them both and I like different things about each one that I use for different reasons.

I think that PPT can be interactive and I think that the effects you can create using timings, sounds, animations, entrance & exits is both stimulating and successful for literacy in particular. It can also be very interactive should you choose to use it in that way.

I love AP - no need to tell you about that.

I sometimes use both of them at the same time in the same lesson and switch between them. Eg - ppt for effects etc and then AP to re-inforce whatever I'm doing/children to demonstrate etc

Another reason - in my case - for using PPT is that the children can then use this medium at home whereas they can't with AP - as far as I know....

[davidlloyd]

I'm not going to shoot you down. My concern is about teachers who haven't though about how they use powerpoint. As you say it does have its place if used wisely. I've just seen teachers claiming to be good IWB practitioners who basically use the board to display power point.

[DBarnwell]

Hello, Myrtle. While the student can't technically install Activprimary on their home machines, the student edition of Activstudio could accomplish the end of having software with which to access flipcharts at home.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/server.php?show=nav.15761

[sdreyer]

A useful addition Suzanne. A simailar effect could be achieved with the screen recorder too.

I agree, but in the example I provided, the student would have to pause the recording until they completed the action demonstrated and then restart it to see the next action, and so on...

For all the Activboard users who are comfortable with the animations they can create in PowerPoint, iSpring is a welcome application to try out and use. It's free and incredibly easy to use! The flash file that is generated is as easy to put into a flipchart as a flipchart recorded movie is. I like it so much that I've ordered the company's full version iSpring Presenter (http://www.ispringsolutions.com/products/ispring_presenter.html)!

[LisaD]

I would love to see an example of a flipchart that includes a flash file that you created with this! Do you have one that you can share?

Lisa

[sdreyer]

I would love to see an example of a flipchart that includes a flash file that you created with this! Do you have one that you can share?

Lisa


It's on page 3 of this thread and was done rather quickly as a response to a reply. If you "play around" with iSpring, you will see the similarity between what it creates and the way flipcharts can now be viewed on Promethean Planet. ;)

[LisaD]

OK, I see it now! That is really great! If you make any more, please share! (I may have to get that program! How much does it cost?)

Lisa

[sdreyer]

The program I used, iSpring Converter, for the above example is totally free, but the output will be branded. iSpring Presenter, more features and no branding, is available for a download trial so you can test it out. It can be purchased for around $250.

In addition to converting PowerPoint presentations for use with activstudio and activprimary, I reguraly use it to make flash files that I can easily upload to blogs, wikis, and moodle.

I've used Zamzar, thanks to a tip I found on the Forum last year, and found it to be an excellent service, but when I'm creating...I don't have the patience to wait for Zamzar to send me the converted file. Other excellent sites I've experimented with include authorSTREAM, Zoho, Google Docs, and Slideshare.