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Overview

Powtoon Overview (04:20)

Description

Powtoon allows users to access a vast array of templates and publish their creations directly to a wide range of platforms, including social media plugins like Facebook and YouTube.  Powtoon users also have the option to convert presentations from PowerPoint into a video by uploading it into the Powtoon ecosystem.

Justification for Using this Tool

A great feature of Powtoon is the ability to collaborate with peers or colleges.  Learning by modelling, feedback and reinforcement is a crucial feature in Bandura’s Social Learning theory. By allowing people to collaborate in the creation of the videos and presentations, they have the opportunity to work through ideas, and share how they would execute their own vision. Also, collaboration allows for team members to provide constructive criticism, and offer additional input and solutions (Bandura, 1988).

The nature of Powtoon is to create and present engagingly. Having templates provided ensures that users are not overloading the audience with too much information. Powtoon is also very accessible with features such as audio and closed caption. Powtoon is more beneficial than a tool that lacks multimedia sources, or on that allows for an abundance of information on each slide. The templates allow users to focus on the content of the presentation rather than the esthetic of it. If the user is a beginner, templates decrease the mental load of the user by allowing them to only focus on the sequence of information as opposed to figuring out how the presentation should look. Cognitive overload, therefore, maybe decreased (De Jong, 2010).

Strategies for Use

Strategy 1 – Powtoon Strategies for Teachers

Powtoon Strategies for Teachers (02:12)

Powtoon allows teachers to create organized and engaging presentations at a controlled pace.

Strategy 2 – Powtoon Strategies for Students

Powtoon Strategies for Students (01:56)

Powtoon allows students to create content-focused presentations, to collaborate and to share ideas.

Helpful Resources

Resource 1 – How to Create a Powtoon for Free

• This video walks you through how to create a free Powtoon. It reviews the templates and shows you different options on how to create your own template.

Resource 2 – How to Create a Cool Animated Presentation in Five Easy Steps

• Learn how to create an animated and engaging presentation in five steps. Instructions are broken down and easy to read.

Resource 3 – Tutorials, Tutorials, Tutorials

• This link will connect you to a multitude of video tutorials addressing the “how- to”’ in becoming a master Powtoonist. You will find tutorials such as “How to create a script” and “before you start making your Powtoon”. Think of this link as the “outline” of your presentation.

References

Bandura, A., & Walters, R. H. (1977). Social learning theory (Vol. 1). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-hall.

De Jong, T. (2010). Cognitive load theory, educational research, and instructional design: some food for thought. Instructional science, 38(2), 105-134.

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