Here are some of my top pics for presentation tools:
1) Microsoft Powerpoint - http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msca/en_CA/pdp/PowerPoint-2016/productID.323916900?tduid=(4dee93a30b35824e774b05c569b541e7)(240780)(2316686)(SRi0yYDlqd0-eeafnBXmvW6Naojgd.Pu7A)()
This is the old faithful of presentation tools. I have been using this for years as have many adults, but for our students, this will not feel like the familiar friend it does to us. Although this can make a good basic presentation, it is a bit boring compared to some of the other presentation tools available today. What I do like about Powerpoint is the straightforward layout where you can see all of your slides to the left as you work and that they are easy to drag and drop and reorder. I would probably have a student who lacks focus use this because it's got less flashy options than the other tools. If possible I would have them use the desktop version because it doesn't have a direct link to the internet to upload content.
2) Prezi - www.prezi.com
This is one of my favourites as an alternative to Powerpoint for a basic presentation. It does all the same things but in a different way. Instead of boring static slides switching one to the next, it allows you to create a presentation map which zooms in and out of each slide circle. The slide circles can also be layered to create a tunnel effect when you are delving deeper and deeper into a subject. The animation is a step up from Powerpoint, but I have heard some people say that the animation makes them feel a bit sick.
3) Powtoon - www.powtoon.com
I love Powtoon for elementary school students. It allows you to make animated cartoons with audio, text and images. There are also choices of background music to underlay on your presentation too. I really enjoy this tool, however the one drawback is that you can't insert links that you can click on. The videos are exported to YouTube (you can send it to a private channel) once completed.
4) Google Slides - https://www.google.com/slides/about/
Google Slides is like Powerpoint 2.0. It has the familiarity of Microsoft Powerpoint, but it's an online service, so everything saves online automatically as you create it. The best part of that is that there are no excuses from your students that their work didn't save :)
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What are the benefits and pitfalls of using presentation software as a teaching tool?
The benefits of using presentation software to teach is that it breaks up the monotony of the traditional classroom where the teacher stands at the front and teaches. It is also beneficial because it is digital teaching and can be used as part of a flipped classroom. Students are used to learning about all sorts of things online in a digital format, so using presentation software is teaching the way that they are used to learning. The pitfall however is that it could be too distracting for some types of learners. Sometimes we might tend to overuse technology also thinking that it is best but there may be an easier and more succinct way to present your information.
How can you use these programs to enhance collaborative learning?
Because these programs are so easy to use, students can create wonderful presentations without much support. They can also share them with ease, which allows students to digitally interact. Not all presentations have the collaboration capabilities needed for multiple students too work on the same presentation, but Google slides is an excellent option for this type of collaboration.
Can you incorporate this in your own context?
Presentation softwares are GREAT for French! I have used them a lot when it comes to the culture expectations. It allows me to easily show them different aspects of French cultures, adding voice overs from true francophones so that they can hear how the accents differ. I also have my students create digital presentations for the 'speaking' expectations. This works especially well for French because it can be really hard for students to feel comfortable presenting live in another language in front of their peers. I even use presentation apps like software 'Sock Puppets' for students who otherwise would not present due to high anxiety. That app specifically alters the students' voice so that it isn't recognizable. I am still able to hear the accent and pronunciation but the voice sounds like a cartoon.
I highly recommend that language teachers explore presentation software and apps to make the teaching of French a lot smoother, with more student engagement and less student whining!
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