ITS Technology Tips

VoiceThread is a collaborative online application that enables users to share a multimedia slideshow and make comments, as part of a group conversation. Once a thread is created, contributing users can comment using text, a webcam, a microphone or even by telephone. With VoiceThread, a group discussion can be securely captured and stored in one place. This tool could be used a part of a class or even just to share photographs with friends and family.

After registering with VoiceThread, as a free member, you are able to create up to three threads at a time. If you would like to be able to create additional threads or need more space, there are purchase options available on the site.

SlideShare is a free Web-based sharing program that allows users to find, create and share presentations online.  With SlideShare, anyone can upload slides to the Web from PowerPoint, OpenOffice, Keynote or a variety of other formats, including PDFs, videos and prerecorded webinars.  You can easily sync MP3 audio files with your slides to create a musical slideshow or narrated lecture. Presentations can be kept private or made public if you would like to share your work with a wide audience. Viewers have the option to download public presentations and reuse or remix the slides.  Another benefit of using SlideShare is that the presentation files can be viewed on smart devices without Flash and smart phones.

Gliffy is a web-based application for creating diagrams. There are a variety of graphics and templates available such as Venn diagrams, flowcharts, floor plans and different shapes to help you get started. Here are some examples of Gliffy diagrams:

On the site, there is an option for a free or premium membership. With the free membership, you can create and share up to five public diagrams. After you finish a diagram, you can easily export it as a JPEG or PNG image or even just print it. Gliffy is also a great tool for creating graphics for a presentation. For more information, visit Gliffy’s Webpage.

When it comes time to make a presentation, many people go straight to the commonly used PowerPoint. While PowerPoint is a reliable tool, you may want to try something new to engage your audience.   Prezi is a flash-based Web application that allows you to create non-linear presentations using text, images and embedded video. Prezi functions similarly to a whiteboard where you can zoom in to emphasize details and zoom out to show the big picture, instead of moving from slide to slide.

There are free public and pro upgraded licenses available; if you are a teacher or student, you can get one of the upgraded memberships for free.  Visit the Prezi website for more details.